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Archive for September, 2012

Eugene, OR Heating Tip: Make Your Heating System More Energy Efficient

Monday, September 24th, 2012

Everyone wants to ensure efficiency in their heating and air conditioning systems, so when the opportunity comes to perform a handful of basic tasks or upgrades that will do just that, many people in Eugene, OR jump at the chance. Specifically, when it comes to your furnace there are quite a few things you can do that will make your system more efficient without having to replace the entire system. Here are a few of them:

*  Regular Maintenance – The easiest way to ensure any heating system uses as little energy as possible is to have regular maintenance performed on it. A tune up performed by a professional once a year is the best way to do this, though you can also benefit from cleaning in and around the furnace room yourself every month.

*  Filter Checks – Check and clean filters according to their manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure there are no clogs in the system. This will greatly reduce the cost of operating your furnace.

*  Inspect and Repair Ductwork – If there are leaks or gaps in ductwork, it can result in a significant loss of heating during operation which will of course greatly reduce your heating efficiency.

*  Vent Damper – A vent damper is a good fit for older furnaces that don’t have mechanisms in place to protect against losses of heat through the chimney when your furnace is not firing.

*  Derating Your Furnace – Older furnaces are often oversized and can be derated to use less energy without having any effect on your home’s comfort levels. The modifications are simple, though not necessarily allowed in every municipality.

The best way to know for sure which of these things are best for your furnace is to talk with a Eugene, OR heating professional about them. Derating and vent damper installation especially are very effective in reducing energy loss but may not be the best option depending on the age of your furnace and how close it is to needing replacement.

A Comfort Flow Heating technician can help you review all of your options before making a decision.

Contact Comfort Flow Heating today!

 

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Eugene, OR Heating Guide: Tips on How to Navigate Buying a Furnace

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Replacing an older furnace is a great way to save money by lowering your energy bills. That’s because newer models are much more energy efficient than those made even 15 years ago. If you’re in the market for a new furnace in Eugene, there are some things you should think about before spending any money. Doing a little bit of research upfront can end up saving you a lot in the long run.

Size is one of the biggest things to consider. A system that’s too small will have to work harder to get your home to the desired temperature, causing it to continually draw in more fuel, greatly increasing your energy bill.

Some people try to overcompensate for this by buying a furnace which is bigger than their home needs. The problem with doing this is that a larger system will cycle on and off more frequently, which is also counterproductive to saving energy. The proper size system for your home falls in between these two extremes and cycles on and off at the right times to keep your home comfortable.

Efficiency is also important and can be seen in a system’s AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. The higher the AFUE rating number, the better the system is at garnering heat from a set amount of fuel. The more efficient a system is, the lower its emissions, and that’s also better for the environment.

One drawback to a system with a higher AFUE rating is the higher initial installation cost. The benefit is lower energy bills for the life of the system, which can add up to significant savings over the long run.

If you’re looking at a specific brand of furnace, it may pay to do some checking online or with a professional Eugene OR heating company to see how the competition stacks up. Someone who works exclusively with HVAC systems can give a lot of insight into what brands and models are tried and true, which ones seem to need frequent repair, and even which ones haven’t been on the market long enough to have been thoroughly tested over time. All of these are important things to consider before making your final purchasing decision.

For any help choosing a furnace in the Eugene area, give Comfort Flow Heating a call!

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