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. 

The federal tax credits for improving the energy efficiency of your home expire on Dec. 31. If you’ve been considering some positive changes to reduce your energy costs, now’s the time to do it. With winter bearing down, you’ll reap the benefit in home comfort, as well as savings.

Using a programmable thermostat properly requires knowing your usual schedule. By programming your thermostat based on when you and your family are away from home, you can maximize energy savings while also reducing costs. 

With cold and flu season upon us, now is the time to protect your house — and UV lights can help. These ultraviolet lights work as incredibly effective germicidal tools in your air system to prevent dangerous bugs from spreading throughout your home.

The Twin Cities area can have extraordinarily cold days during the winter that keep your furnace running hours every day. In order to keep your utility bills lower and your furnace working efficiently, be sure to clean or replace your furnace filters at regular intervals. Experts recommend cleaning or replacing once a month if it’s been exceptionally cold. The filters trap dust, keeping it from going into the furnace, your ducts and your lungs. Clean filters are the simplest and often the most effective way to get the most from your furnace and breathe clean air.