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Furnace efficiency is an important consideration, especially as winter rolls around, and you find yourself using your furnace more and more. But just as important as furnace efficiency is the efficiency of the filters that you put in your furnace. A number of different types of filters are on the market today, and you can quickly assess their effectiveness by checking their MERV (Minimum Efficiency Rating Value) ratings.

The Twin Cities are getting colder every day, as winter settles in. This is the time to give some serious thought to your heating system. How can you keep you and your loved ones warm this winter without spending a fortune?

An old furnace can be a pain to deal with, especially when it comes to repairs or energy costs. If you want improved efficiency and comfort from your home’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, a new furnace is the way to go. However, you should consider furnace replacement if your current furnace is more than 15 years old, or if your unit requires frequent and expensive repairs. Remember that aging furnaces can quickly rob your home of its energy efficiency, and cause your monthly energy bills to soar.

Your HVAC system is a major investment for your home and a complex collection of equipment. Whether you are having routine maintenance done, installing a new component or undergoing a major system overhaul, hiring someone to do work on your HVAC system can be a stressful process. This is especially true if you aren’t sure what to look for. Fortunately, hiring a good HVAC contractor doesn’t have to be difficult if you follow a few simple tips. 

When choosing a new furnace, one of the most important factors to consider is the AFUE rating, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating. This number determines the percentage of fuel that will end up as heat for your home. The Department of Energy recommends AFUE ratings over 80 percent, which means 80 percent of the heat from the furnace is heating your home, while the remaining 20 percent is lost.

Replacing a furnace is a major decision that will affect your finances, both in the short term and in the long run, as well as your home comfort. It’s not an easy decision, and sometimes replacing the furnace may not be the way to go. Retrofitting your furnace so that it’s more energy efficient can be a possibility. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each option before making your decision.

Are you unsure of your home’s energy efficiency rating? Do you feel you could benefit from some energy-saving upgrades? The Energy Star Yardstick’s online program can help you find out how your home measures up, and what you can do about it.  

Snow, ice, freezing rain and cold temperatures are all too familiar if you’ve spent even one winter in the Twin Cities. More than any other season, winter is the time when you really appreciate a nice, cozy home. If an ailing furnace is keeping you — or threatening to keep you — from having the warmth you need, replacing it doesn’t have be as budget-busting as you might think. By keeping some things in mind, you can save money.

When almost half of your energy expenses go toward heating and cooling, making educated decisions about your HVAC system can have a direct effect on your utility bills. These four steps can help increase your HVAC system’s efficiency while saving you money.

Your blower is one of the most important and hardest working parts of your furnace. The blower’s function is to send the warmed air from your furnace through the ducts, out of the vents and into various rooms of your house. Blowers are powered by a motor, and in older furnaces, this was usually a single speed motor. Today, however, variable-speed blower motors provide a more energy efficient alternative. A variable-speed blower motor not only saves energy, but it also allows your furnace to work more efficiently, which can prolong the life of the unit.