Therm, the energy wiseguy, shares some tips to save money and even have Questar make a personal housecall and audit to tell you how you can save money.
Here are some simple steps you can perform, plus some things you can ask your contractor to do, to make sure your natural gas furnace will keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long.
1. Clean or replace the filter.
A clogged filter restricts the flow of heated air from your furnace, causing it to work harder and deliver less heat.
Loose belts can increase furnace operating time. Replace frayed or cracked belts. Two or three drops of oil in the motor will keep it running smoothly. (Sealed blower motors require no lubrication. If you have questions, check your owner’s manual or call a heating professional.)
3. Make sure blower doors are replaced properly.
This keeps combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide separate from the warm air circulated through your home.
4. Check to see that vents in the house are unobstructed.
Air in your home needs to circulate easily through the vents. Your furnace works less when heated air is not blocked and the cooler air can circulate back freely.
5. Check to see that the exhaust flue to the outside is clear of obstructions and in good condition from the furnace to the roof cap with all connections securely fastened.
You can check it by removing the flue cap near the furnace and water heater and looking through the flue to the outside. Make sure you replace the flue cap securely. If the furnace or water heater are in an enclosed room or closet, make sure they get plenty of air. These appliances need ten cubic feet of air for one cubit foot of natural gas to operate properly. Furnace rooms or closets should have door louvers or vents or a duct directly to the outside to provide sufficient combustion air.
6. Remove all flammable objects from around your furnace and water heater.
Boxes, clothes, paints, aerosols, gasoline, motorized yard tools, and any other flammable products should not be stored near the furnace or water heater.
7. Check to make sure your furnace, boiler and water heater have a green sticker (Utah residents only).
This sticker indicates your appliances are properly adjusted to safely burn local gas supplies and are working as efficiently as possible. As part of a complete annual checkup, your heating contractor can perform a Green Sticker inspection and make any necessary adjustments.
General Tips
• Choose products that have earned the ENERGY STAR label
• Consider installing storm or thermal windows
• Set the thermostat between 65 and 70 degrees during the winter, and 58 degrees when away from the house for more than a few hours
• Keep heat registers and air-return vents unobstructed
• Use registers to direct warm air-flow across the floor
• Use drapes, shutters, awnings, shade trees, glass with reflective film and/or solar screens to keep your house cooler in the summer
• When buying new appliances, compare energy-efficiency ratings and annual operating costs
• Eliminate air leaks in your home with caulking, sealants or weather stripping
• Close vents and doors in unused rooms and close dampers on unused fireplaces
• Check to see if the attic and walls have the recommended levels of insulation
HOME ENERGY AUDIT AND REBATES: Take advantage of our home-energy audit. We’ll do the audit for $25 and return the $25 on your gas bill if you follow our efficiency recommendations. NOW’S THE BEST TIME TO CALL TO GET A TIMELY APPOINTMENT — 800-323-5517. Or you can download and print our free do-it-yourself audit at ThermWise.com. Keep in mind, we are paying customers $30 to $300 to purchase and install high-efficient appliances, and great rebates to install insulation and windows. ThermWise.com has information about all of our audits, rebates and energy-saving tips.
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