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Before you pay for a new furnace, check where your house is losing heat. A leaky house can waste the heat a new furnace makes, and some fixes cost far less than a replacement.
This affects homeowners heading into winter, and renters who can ask a landlord to fix drafts. The U.S. Department of Energy’s home energy checklist says heating can account for almost half of the average family’s winter energy bill.
Start with the cheap checks
- Clean or replace the filters in your furnace, air conditioner and heat pump.
- Get yearly professional maintenance for your furnace or heat pump.
- Look at your thermostat. The Department of Energy suggests a programmable thermostat that lowers the temperature automatically at night or when you are out.
- Use the sun. In winter, open south-facing curtains during the day and close them at night.
Find the leaks
The department says to seal the largest air leaks first, the ones that whistle on windy days or feel drafty. It says the worst culprits are usually not windows and doors. Look instead at the holes where pipes pass through walls and floors, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Small, hidden cracks can add up to as much as an open window or door.
Check ducts, insulation and windows
- Ducts. Insulate heating ducts in unheated areas such as attics and crawl spaces. The department says well-kept ducts can prevent heat loss of up to 60% at the vents.
- Insulation. If your walls are not insulated, ask a contractor about it, and bring attic insulation up to a good level.
- Windows. The department says the typical home loses more than 25% of its heat through windows. Rope caulk or window film on leaky windows is a low-cost start.
Get an expert look
The department suggests an energy audit, which you can ask your utility company or state energy office about. It says an auditor with a blower door test can point out the worst cracks.
If you decide to replace the furnace, the department says to look for the ENERGY STAR label.
JBizNews Desk | Washington
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