Winter heating bills take a bite out of everyone in the Shawnee, KS area. It might feel like nothing can address the issue, but you may be surprised by the benefits of improving your existing furnace’s efficiency. A handful of targeted solutions can often combat efficiency-related declines to lower your heating bills.
Why Furnace Efficiency Declines
Age and wear will cause an annual efficiency decline of 1-2%, especially once a furnace is older than ten years. As components wear down, they don’t operate as well. This ultimately limits system efficiency and puts it on a steady decline. Worse, the decline of one component can cause strain on other components.
Some of this is par for the course. The typical furnace lasts 15-20 years, although many will run past that with proper preventative maintenance. If a unit is significantly older than 20 years, there is a good chance that replacement is the most cost-effective solution.
Addressing Specific Inefficiencies
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to address growing inefficiencies. Consider the following problems and solutions.
Clogged or Dirty Air Filters
Easily one of the cheapest solutions for most furnace inefficiency issues is to regularly replace the main filter. Most furnaces have a fiberglass air filter that keeps large particles, like dust bunnies and pet hair, from entering the combustion chamber. As these filters do their job, they collect particulate matter that slows the airflow.
A furnace with a clogged or dirty air filter can lose easily 5-15% of its overall efficiency. If left to run in that condition, it can strain other components, such as the burners and the blower motor. Those components will then decline in performance, further reducing efficiency.
Air filter replacement is an easy DIY project. The standard for a basic furnace filter is to replace it every three months. However, check the filter every month. Especially if your household includes a long-haired pet or a smoker, the filter could get dirty very quickly.
You should also regularly replace the filters on any attached indoor air quality systems. While these filters are less impactful on efficiency than the main filter that goes directly to the furnace, dirt can still inhibit airflow. Know the layout of your HVAC system so you can replace all relevant filters. This may include replacing HEPA and activated charcoal filters.
The Thermostat
HVAC thermostats seem like relatively trivial components. However, they control when the furnace comes on and turns off. If the thermostat is old or its sensors are defective, this can adversely affect furnace efficiency. Likewise, a poorly positioned thermostat might receive too much heat from a nearby vent, triggering an early-cycle shutoff. Similarly, a thermostat in a cold spot might encourage the system to run for long cycles.
If your house doesn’t include a smart thermostat, strongly consider getting one. Smart HVAC thermostats typically pay for themselves within 6-18 months. Especially if you make the most of programmable features to run the furnace less when no one is around, you can save some serious money over a heating season.
Ductwork Problems
Leaky ducts are one of the sneakier problems in homes. Easily 20-30% of heat can be lost through cracks in the ducts. Make sure your ductwork is properly sealed before the winter heating season starts. Also, consider rerouting ducts that run close to outside walls.
Sealing the ducts will also improve system airflow. This means the air pressure inside the HVAC will be steadier, and that puts less strain on the system.
Burners
Gas furnaces are the most common heating solution in this part of the nation. People often overlook burners because they think of natural gas as a clean fuel source. This is true to some extent, but even highly efficient gas furnaces will still accumulate carbon buildup. If a home’s furnace hasn’t been inspected in several years, there is a good chance the burners need cleaning.
Our HVAC technicians typically check the burners as part of an annual furnace inspection. This is a good time to verify their condition and clean them, if necessary.
Vents and Returns
The registers that send warm air into your house and then recover cooler air for the next cycle are surprisingly important to furnace performance. Even something as seemingly small as a vent that’s partially closed can affect how the air moves through your home. Make sure the vents and cold-air returns are open in every room that you intend to heat this winter.
Also, check each room for small things that could disturb airflow around the registers. An end table could, for example, deflect air unpredictably. Similarly, couches, chairs, and even curtains can all disrupt airflow. Move items away from vents and returns to maximize airflow.
Lack of General Maintenance
Many furnaces decline in performance due to a lack of general maintenance. Moving parts, such as fans, blowers, and belts, need annual lubrication. The burners and the pilot light need cleaning every few years. In many cases, annual maintenance goes a long way toward improving a furnace’s efficiency.
Improper Sizing
A heater should be the right size for a house. A heater that’s too small may run frequently, leading to short cycles and increased wear and tear. A heater that’s too large will consume more fuel, leading to higher energy bills. If your heating system is due for replacement, talk with our technicians about right-sizing the new model.
When to Repair or Replace Your Furnace
Maintenance makes a huge difference for furnace efficiency, but there will come a time when you’ll have to repair or replace the system. Optimally, you want to get as many paid-for years out of your furnace as possible. Maintenance provides the greatest benefit, and repairs are typically smaller and cheaper during the first 15 years. Once the furnace starts to age, you need a plan for eventually replacing it.
Annual maintenance checks are critical for decision-making. We offer maintenance plans, and our technicians can tell you when your HVAC is ready for a replacement heater.
When to Repair
Many minor problems are repairable. A system that emits squealing or squeaking sounds might just need lubrication or a new blower motor. Similarly, a flickering yellow pilot light may just need cleaning.
When the solution is likely to cost less than 50% of the furnace’s replacement price, you should consider repairs. This is especially the case if the furnace is younger than 15 years.
When to Replace
In the industry, replacement is presumed for any system that’s older than 20 years. You may also want to explore replacement if the system is pushing 15 years and starting to require repairs annually or more often. Similarly, any repair that exceeds 50% of the system’s replacement cost is a prime candidate for replacement. For example, a cracked heat exchanger can be more expensive to replace than just replacing the whole furnace.
You should also consider replacing a system that’s operating below 80% efficiency. A modern furnace typically operates in the 90-95% efficiency range, meaning that 90 to 95 cents of every dollar spent running it is converted into usable heat. An older or cheaper system may be less efficient. Even if the furnace is relatively new, the savings from improved efficiency are probably worth it.
Air Care Heating & Cooling is home to NATE-certified technicians who are available to provide emergency service 24/7. We are also an EPA- and NCI-certified business. If you have concerns about the declining efficiency of your Shawnee home’s furnace, contact [company_today] to schedule an appointment with a friendly and knowledgeable technician.
