Three Steps for Preparing Your Energy Efficient Furnace for Winter

November 04, 2014

If you’ve invested in an energy efficient furnace, you know the next few months are when it’s going to really pay off. These innovative HVAC systems can help cut back the amount of energy or gas required to heat your home compared to older and less efficient models. With winter drawing nearer here in Macon, we’ve prepared some essential steps you can take to ensure your furnace will operate efficiently and effectively all season.

1. Schedule a routine maintenance visit before winter weather arrives.

The last thing you want is to turn on your furnace on the first cold day in Macon only to find out it’s not running properly. It’s important to have a HVAC professional inspect your equipment, as these individuals have been trained and certified to ensure your HVAC system is safe and working the right way. Regular service visits will not only help the product operate smoothly, but it will help improve the energy efficiency of your furnace, as well.

2. Check your heat exchanger.

Broken or improperly functioning heat exchangers mix combustion gases with your home’s air, which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. This inspection is easy – just inspect your furnace’s combustion chamber for cracks. If you detect strange odors coming from the heater after a while, shut it off and call a professional. Your heat exchanger is an important part of creating an energy efficient furnace. When it’s working properly, the equipment doesn’t have to work as hard or use as much energy to generate the heat you desire.

3. Change your air filter.

When’s the last time you changed your filter? Now is the time. Clean filters may help improve your system’s air flow and could lead to better energy efficiency, as well. Pleated, HEPA and electrostatic filters can also help increase the furnace’s energy efficiency, so consider upgrading if you’re currently using a flat filter. We recommend checking your filter at the end of each month to see whether it needs to be changed.

Use these steps to create a more energy efficient home this season. Or, if you’re ready for a repair, Air Temperature Control offers a number of energy efficient furnaces. We’re happy to help you choose the latest and greatest HVAC systems available in Macon.