Understanding the load on your furnace is easy — it’s just the amount of energy that’s consumed to meet the temperature you’ve set on the thermostat. Lessening the load isn’t complicated either. You can do it by making targeted improvements that increase your home’s efficiency and curb energy consumption.
Lowering the heating load can benefit you in a number of ways:
- Greater efficiency all year long — The steps you take to boost your home’s efficiency can help you save energy throughout the year, so you’ll enjoy lower cooling costs as well.
- Fewer costly repairs or replacements — Lessening the workload on your heating equipment reduces wear and strain that can lead to breakdowns and premature failures.
- Savings on new equipment — When your HVAC contractor calculates the capacity you need, you may discover that smaller, less costly equipment can do the job.
- More comfort — The efficiency-focused measures you take make it easier to heat and cool your home and keep it at a comfortable temperature.
Improvements to Reduce Your Furnace Load
These effective strategies for creating a more energy efficient home can also help lower the load on your HVAC equipment:
- Increase attic insulation — To control heat transfer through the ceilings, you need between R-38 and R-60 on the attic floor. Generally, if you can still see the tops of your floor joists, you should add more.
- Block air leaks in the attic — Use expandable spray foam insulation to seal gaps around light fixtures, plumbing stacks, electrical wiring and the chimney or flue. Be sure to seal the attic access hatch as well.
- Fix ductwork deficiencies — Have a professional fix any loose or disconnected runs, seal the joints and seams with fiberglass mesh and mastic, then wrap all the accessible ductwork in R-8 insulation.
- Tighten up the building envelope — Use an appropriate product to seal leaks wherever two types of building materials meet, and around windows and doors, electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, exhaust vents and other penetrations through the shell.
To learn more ways to reduce the load on the furnace in your Dayton area home, contact us today at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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