ENERGY EFFICIENT FURNACES AND FURNACE INSTALLATIONS

Upgrading your home’s heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to energy-efficient equipment is
not something to be taken lightly. There is an expense to buying a new furnace, but one that can
result not only in reduced operating costs, but also in long term savings. Energy-efficient equipment may even pay for itself in only a few years. In addition to the financial benefits, a new furnace installation can also make your home healthier and more comfortable.

House Smart Home Improvements is experienced in assessing the critical factors involved in
upgrading your furnace. Considerations such as overall household performance, lifestyle, number of occupants, their age, the climate and insulation levels of the house, all impact furnace performance. 

Thinking of having a New Energy-Efficient Furnace or Heat Pump Installed?
Visit Our New Furnaces and Heat Pumps Site.

Why a New Furnace Installation?

• All equipment, including furnaces and boilers, has a finite life span, which is often longer than their optimum efficiency.  It may need replacing due to normal wear and tear or a lack of regular maintenance.  Your equipment may be working, but not working well and costing you more money
  in the long run!
• Sometimes heating requirements change due to using the house differently; a new baby or an older person joining the household can mean different fuel needs.
• Older homes can have cold areas due to inefficient heating and mechanical system layout.
• Renovation work can mean changes that impact present mechanical systems and along with that, cause inefficiencies.  At the time of renovation it would be a good opportunity to upgrade to new, more efficient products, or to install a proper ventilation system where one doesn’t exist.

Making Changes to Home Systems

Mechanical systems changes can cause imbalances between the air pressure inside and outside
of the house; which can lead to combustion spillage problems from hot water heaters, fireplaces,
and furnaces.  A professional such as House Smart Home Improvements can assess whether this
is a significant issue before proceeding, and make recommendations that will save you time and
money.

Knowing the characteristics of how your heating and ventilation system operates can help you determine which changes to consider. Anticipating problems ahead of time, as well as discussing
them with your heating professional, will help you avoid surprises.  Some questions to ask your-
self, the options available to you, and the repercussions of not making that choice are outlined
below.

Is the furnace more than 15 years old?  How old is it?  When was it last serviced?

• Options:
  • Depending on age and condition, replace the furnace.  On average a well-maintained
    boiler will last up to 40 years, and a well-serviced furnace will typically last 15-20 years.
  • Choose a smaller furnace, replacing an oversized existing one.  Gains in efficiency, and reduction in expense, may follow.
  • Replacing motors and heat exchangers in older furnaces may be a viable short-term
    solution; however, this is will not be as efficient at extracting heat compared with
    newer furnaces. 
    In the case of a furnace over 15 years old, most professionals will recommend new,
    energy-efficient equipment over replacing individual furnace components.
  • Have the heating system regularly maintained for optimum efficiency.  Clean and/or
    replace filters regularly, and maintain combustion system components according to
    specified guidelines.
  • Eliminate existing chimneys and replace with energy-efficient equipment.  This is
    particularly optimal if the chimney is located on an exterior wall or mostly outside,
    which contributes to combustion gas backdraft
• Considerations:
  • Improperly maintained equipment has a shorter life span, and inefficiencies.  This can
    lead to premature failure, backdraft of combustion gases, incomplete combustion of
    fuels, fire hazard from clogged filters and flues, and air pollution from cracked heat exchangers.
  • Installing a new piece of energy-efficient equipment into an existing system may have additional duct, venting, and combustion air-supply needs.
  • Upgrading a single, significantly more efficient appliance may require venting modifications
    to the chimney.
  • The overall household environment may be impacted negatively by wrong choices!

Are the heating needs met in the house?  Is it too cool, or too warm in places? 
Can the house be kept a uniform temperature?

• Options:
  • Replace an older thermostat with a newer programmable model.  Energy savings can result from automatically setting temperature setback.
  • Increase system capacity in delivering adequate airflow by improving cold air returns.
  • Upgrade insulation and draft proofing to reduce heating anomalies.
  • Install a new, more efficient smaller heater.
• Considerations:
  • Furnaces that cycle excessively (turn on and off frequently) can deteriorate before
    their time, along with the flue.  This is a sign of inefficiency and can happen in an
    older, under-maintenanced, or oversized furnace.

Are there areas of the house in which it is difficult to maintain heat?

• Options:
  • Ensure that dampers and valves are open and cold air returns and registers are not blocked.
    • Install balancing dampers to redirect heat to where it is needed.
  • Upgrade or replace circulation pumps in hydronic heating systems with individual zones.
  • Install pumps or fans in older gravity systems.
• Considerations:
  • Increased relative humidity in cold areas will promote condensation, wet surface area mold
    and fungus growth, and reduced air quality.
  • Unheated spaces that contain warm air ducts and hot water pipes require additional
    measures such as duct sealers and insulation to maintain energy efficiency.

Is your furnace affected by a planned renovation?

• Options:
  • Extensive remodeling requires a consultation with an experienced professional heating contractor.  This may also be an opportunity to review and address shortcomings in
    your existing system, as mechanical system elements may be more accessible during
    the renovation.
• Considerations:
  • Combustion appliances may need to make-up air to minimize air pressure imbalances
    during air sealing, window replacement, and insulation upgrade work.
  • Dryers, range hoods, and central vacuums exhausting to the outside must also be
    considered in the house air pressure balance.

Do you need an air conditioner?

• Options:
  • Reduce overheating in the home by upgrading insulation, air sealing, and exterior
    shading means.  Passive cooling elements can be installed as part of a renovation plan.
  • Consider installing or upgrading an air conditioning system.
• Considerations:
  • High temperature and humidity can create unhealthy and uncomfortable living
    conditions.