| Once you have chosen a gas furnace to meet | | | | furnace to whatever settings you want during the |
| the needs of your home and your family, you can | | | | day. |
| then start implementing the steps to keep your | | | | The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating on a |
| energy costs down. You should still take the | | | | gas furnace should be above 90% This means |
| necessary precautions to keep your furnace | | | | that your furnace is burning 90% of the fuel as |
| efficiency high, even though you bought a | | | | heat, so you are getting 90 cents out of every |
| state-of-the-art model. The first step to keeping | | | | dollar spent on fuel. If your furnace efficiency is |
| your costs low is to keep the furnace off when | | | | still not up to par, there are some simple steps |
| no one is home. This is why a furnace with | | | | you can try first, before calling a contractor. |
| communicating technology can be a great benefit. | | | | Check the ducts and make sure that there is not |
| If you are on vacation or going to be gone for an | | | | any dust sitting on them. You can simply wipe the |
| extended amount of time, you can turn the | | | | ducts down with a towel or a shop vac. Check |
| furnace on from your phone so that the house | | | | the air dampers, or valves on each duct. The |
| will be warm when you get there. | | | | hottest rooms should have the dampers closed |
| If you buy a gas furnace with an energy efficient | | | | more than the colder rooms. Check for any leaks |
| rating above 14.1, you will be getting the most out | | | | in the duct work. You can use foil HVAC tape to |
| of your heating system. Some of these energy | | | | seal these leaks. Make sure your duct work is |
| rated systems will receive the 2009-2010 tax | | | | insulated properly. You can buy insulation wrap at |
| credit. It is important to do your research so that | | | | any hardware store. All joints and edges should be |
| you will not be missing out on any beneficial | | | | sealed with the foil HVAC tape to aid in insulation. |
| discounts. Another way to enhance your furnace | | | | With a gas furnace, it is important to remember |
| efficiency is to buy one that has a built in | | | | not to put any insulation near the air intake or the |
| thermostat as well as climate control features. | | | | heat source as this could result in a fire. Once you |
| This way you do not have to worry about turning | | | | complete these steps for your furnace efficiency, |
| off, or adjusting your furnace when you leave the | | | | you should notice a big difference in your electric |
| house. The timer will remember to switch the | | | | bill. |