Appropriate furnace care and wise purchases can help you decrease the high costs of heating your house. That’s good news thinking about that energy bills-which are already historically high-are expected to continue to climb. In truth, a current article in USA Today reported that house owners typically will see a 25.7 percent increase in heating costs compared to a year earlier.
To decrease heating costs, professionals state that the energy efficiency of your heater is exceptionally essential. According to Jim Miller of Amana brand heaters, “Homeowners do not have much control over the price of gas, but they can take actions to minimize the effect of home heating costs.” He offers these pointers:
1. Have Your Furnace Checked. “If you have not currently done so this year, have a certified HVAC contractor examine your heating system now,” Miller highlighted. “He can perform a security examination and clean your heater so that it runs as efficiently as possible.”
2. When Buying a New Furnace, Choose High-Efficiency. A heater’s efficiency is indicated by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency portion, or “AFUE,” a measurement established by the U.S. Department of Energy. The greater a furnace’s AFUE, the more effective it is. “Furnaces older than 15 years operate at effectiveness of roughly 60% AFUE. This implies that for every dollar spent on heating expenses, just 60 cents really helps warm your house, while the staying 40 cents is wasted.
“If you were to change that 60% AFUE furnace with a high-efficiency system, such as the Amana brand name AMV9 96% AFUE Variable-Speed Furnace, you would get 96 cents worth of warmth for every single dollar you spend towards heating your home,” said Miller.
Due to the fact that the blowers typically need up to 75 percent less electrical power than a standard motor, he added that heating systems with a variable-speed blower are even more efficient. In addition, a heating system’s blower also works with the house’s cooling system, suggesting customers experience increased performance year-round.
3. Investigate Tax Credits for High-Efficiency Furnace Purchases. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), house owners who acquire heaters with an AFUE of 95% or higher in 2006 and 2007 might get approved for a tax credit of $150. And if that heater uses a variable-speed blower, they might get approved for an additional $50 tax credit.
Proper heating system care and wise purchases can assist you decrease the high expenses of heating your house. To lower heating expenses, experts state that the energy efficiency of your heater is extremely crucial. A furnace’s performance is suggested by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency percentage, or “AFUE,” a measurement developed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), house owners who acquire furnaces with an AFUE of 95% or higher in 2006 and 2007 may qualify for a tax credit of $150.