Is Your Heating System Efficient?

With colder weather approaching, almost every homeowner across the country is concerned about the best ways to heat their home. The efficiency of a heating system can affect how comfortable you feel during the coldest months of the year and the amount on your energy bills. Learn more about heating system efficiency, why it’s important, and what you can do to keep your Springfield, Virginia, home warm this winter.

What Determines Efficiency?

Your heater’s efficiency is generally determined by how much fuel is required to heat your home. This measure is also known as the annual fuel utilization efficiency or AFUE. Extremely efficient heating systems will have an AFUE level of at least 90 percent. If your heating system has AFUE levels lower than this, you’ll notice an increase in your energy bills. Most modern heaters will usually have a high AFUE rating, older systems, particularly those that are non-electric, will not be very efficient.

Optimizing Your Home

One of the main causes of low heating efficiency is leaky ductwork. These leaks can cause your furnace to work harder than it should to heat your home, causing strain on your system and resulting in higher energy bills. Before the colder months arrive, you should check your heating system for leaks and seal any leaks that you find. It is always best to get a maintenance check from a home heating expert who will be able to find any leaks you might have missed.

Protect Against the Winter Chill

Other than examining your heating system for leaks, there are a number of other tasks you can perform to winterize your home. First, you can make sure your windows are sealed properly. You should also make sure there are no gaps under your door through which heat can escape. Winterizing your home will help to increase your heating system’s performance.

Improving your heating system’s efficiency is always easier when you partner with the experts at Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We can help prepare your heating system for the colder months so that your Northern Virginia home stays comfortable and your energy bills don’t skyrocket. Set up a heating system evaluation today by calling 703-783-0145.

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