You care about the environment, as we all do. The environment provides for us all, and we want to protect it. Cooling and heating your home account for a large portion of your energy consumption and energy costs. Therefore, it is important to use the most energy efficient heating system you can.
One measure of environmental friendliness is carbon emissions. The term actually refers to the gas carbon dioxide or CO2. This is what plants and animals breathe out.
Your heating system also pushes this gas out into the atmosphere. This is a normal part of how heat is generated from a heating system. If you use a low-efficiency heating system, this makes the problem much worse. It will also cost you more in energy costs and repair and replacement work.
There are better solutions. A superior energy efficient heating system will make you comfortable and ensure your safety and security.
Lowering Your Carbon Footprint With High-Efficiency Heating Systems
- Lowering Your Carbon Footprint With High-Efficiency Heating Systems
- Identifying A High-Efficiency Heating System
- Older Heating Systems Aren’t As Efficient
- Controlling Your Carbon Footprint
- Sealing Air Leaks
- Installing Programmable Thermostats
- Replacing HVAC Air Filters Regularly
- Lower Thermostat Settings In Winter
- Conclusion
- Contact The Better Home Heat Council For Your Home Heating Requirements
Your heating system contributes significantly to the growing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There are things you can do to help lower emissions, though. One option is to choose a boiler or central furnace that has a high-efficiency rating. In heating systems, AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency, measures how well the system converts the energy in fuel to heat over 12 years.
The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the system is. A heating system with a 90% AFUE rating turns as much as 90% of its fuel to heat. The system then vents the other 10% to the atmosphere, usually through ducts or a chimney.
Among heating systems, boilers and furnaces by far have the highest AFUE ratings. The AFUE ratings for these systems can range from 95% to 98.5%. Unfortunately, these systems are a little more expensive than units with a lower AFUE rating. On the other hand, this is offset by lower operating costs. You typically save money in the long run.
Identifying A High-Efficiency Heating System
The AFUE rating of most low-efficiency heating systems is about 55% to 70%. These units usually require a continuous pilot light to work. They typically possess a heavy heat exchanger. They also have a way to make sure that the combustible gases flow safely.
In some moderately efficient models, a typical AFUE rating ranges from 80% to 83%. These systems usually lack a pilot light. Instead, they use electronic ignition to start the system. These systems may regulate air and fuel flow by using exhaust fans.
High-efficiency systems instead use a sealed combustion component. These systems also use two heat exchangers. These condense flue gases to boost their efficiency.
Older Heating Systems Aren’t As Efficient
No matter how well-built your heating system is, time will eventually wear it down. Regular use eventually will lead to wear-and-tear and eventual damage. This is true even if the system is well-maintained.
At some point, some of its components will break. You will then require repair or replacement of your system. Older systems also lack the newer energy-efficient technology and features of newer models.
Today’s models have new features and designs which make them better at generating heat than older models. They also are designed to be more reliable at fuel consumption than older systems.
Controlling Your Carbon Footprint
Even after installing a high-efficiency heating system, there is much more you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Many of these following steps will save on energy costs as well.
Sealing Air Leaks
Air leaks are infamous for letting warm air escape and letting in cold air from outside. Leaks are most common around windows, joints, doors, holes, and cracks. Make sure that immediately before the winter months, you take care of any inefficient insulation. Typically, issues with air leaks only need simple fixes, and the sooner these leaks are identified, the quicker they can be taken care of.
Installing Programmable Thermostats
You can use a programmable thermostat for better control over indoor temperature. These devices give you flexible options to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. You can set the thermostat to lower temperatures when not at home and raise them again before you return.
The system can be programmed to turn off when not needed. Or you may opt to keep the system running even if you are not at home. Use these options to minimize heating system operation.
Replacing HVAC Air Filters Regularly
HVAC systems stop functioning efficiently when the air filters are blocked. Air filters snag small particulates from the air. Over time, they gather enough particle matter that heated air simply cannot pass through the filter anymore. You may have noticed that your heating system is much less efficient when its air filter is clogged. Clean or replace the filter routinely to keep your heating system in optimal condition.
Lower Thermostat Settings In Winter
It may not be the most pleasant thing to do, but keeping the temperature low helps reduce energy consumption. Consider reducing your thermostat by one or two degrees. This will reduce the amount of work done by the heating system and help extend its life. Wearing an extra layer of clothing may alleviate some of the discomfort from the lowered temperature.
Conclusion
We all want to be responsible users of our energy resources. That is a given. The choices we make now certainly will affect the future. Choosing a high-efficiency heating system reduces our overall contribution to total pollution. This promotes a cleaner environment as well as saving us money over the long term. That certainly is a win-win for everyone both now and in the future.
Contact The Better Home Heat Council For Your Home Heating Requirements
The Better Home Heat Council (BHHC) is a local association that aims to help homeowners with everything that has to do with fuel oil heat. We provide you with knowledge, especially on things regarding the economic and efficient use of heating oil. Also, we assist people in identifying and solving issues about energy efficiency in their homes or office. We accomplish this by pushing them towards an effective and affordable path to ensure that their living areas become more efficient and cost-effective.
The BHHC also supports heating oil delivery service companies that offer services, products, and solutions to homeowners in the Lehigh Valley. If you are searching for a superior full-service home heating oil delivery company near you, click here. Rest assured that most of the fuel oil delivery service companies in our system also provide free energy consultations.
For questions and concerns concerning your HVAC system or oil delivery, click here to contact the Better Home Heat Council today.