Many variables influence furnace performance during the winter, but none is more important than the simple fact that it’s cold outside. Outdoor conditions inevitably impact the indoor environment of a home, whether it’s a sweltering summer day or a freezing winter night.
The science of thermodynamics tells us that heat energy is always on the move from a hot zone into a colder zone. As outdoor temperatures plummet in the winter, heat generated by the furnace indoors is always trying to escape into the frigid outdoors. The potential effects on furnace performance may be hard to miss:
Indoor comfort control is diminished.
The furnace runs longer cycles to maintain the thermostat setting.
Here are some suggestions to get the upper hand on declining furnace performance during the winter:
Eliminate air leaks that allow heat loss to the outdoors and degrade furnace performance. Seal structural cracks and gaps with caulking or expanding insulating foam in a can. Replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows.
Have a qualified HVAC contractor check the amount and quality of your attic insulation and verify that it meets current Department of Energy standards to prevent heat loss through the roof.
Schedule annual professional preventative maintenance on the furnace. This includes a checklist of manufacturer-recommended procedures that support optimum furnace performance. Annual professional maintenance is also typically required by a furnace's warranty terms.
Choose efficient, effective thermostat settings. A much higher thermostat setting in cold winter weather often means increased heat loss from the structure without a great benefit to indoor comfort. Strike a balance between a comfortable indoor environment and excessive heat loss by following Department of Energy temperature recommendations: When people are home, set the thermostat between 68 degrees and 72 degrees. At night or when the house is not occupied, lower the temperature range to 58 to 62 degrees.
For more advice about increasing furnace performance and cutting energy costs this winter, contact the heating professionals at Air Assurance.
With the winter months around the corner you will want to keep your home as energy efficient as possible. One way to do this is to seal air leaks around your home and keep warm air inside. Not only does this create a more comfortable environment, it will save you money on your heating costs. Some air leaks are obvious and present at the usual problem areas, like window and door frames. You can easily seal air leaks in these areas yourself with caulk or weatherstripping which can be purchased at your local home improvement store. When purchasing caulk, make sure you select the correct formula for either indoor or outdoor application. You will also want to measure the length and width of weatherstripping to ensure that you get a good seal when replacing.Less obvious air leaks are found around outdoor water faucets, air vents and ducts, electrical outlets, and outlets for cable and telephone lines. Make sure you check these areas, and create an airtight seal to keep the warmth in and the cold out.If you have a home with a forced-air heating and cooling system you will also want to check ducts for leaks. Some of the ducts may be in the walls or floors making them difficult to access; however, you can check ducts in attics, basements, crawlspaces and garages. You can seal air leaks with duct sealant and wrap ducts with additional insulation, especially if they are in areas that are not climate controlled for increased energy efficiency.If you are concerned that you have several small leaks or the repairs will be overwhelming, you should contact a heating and cooling professional to run an energy audit and conduct a blower door test. The blower door test will depressurize the home and detect the majority of small leaks. The energy audit will also let you know if areas of your home require additional insulation to assist in maintaining comfortable temperatures and reduce energy consumption.For more information on how to seal air leaks and create a more energy-efficient home, contact Air Assurance. We serve the Broken Arrow area.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock
