When you’re looking for a new furnace, one of the most important factors to consider is the efficiency rating of the system you choose. But did you know that there are potential problems that can prevent your furnace from operating at its advertised efficiency level? Today we’re going to talk about some of those problems and the effect they have on whether or not your furnace operates at its full efficiency potential!

Problems that can prevent your furnace from operating at its full efficiency potential

  • Furnace is improperly sized. Before selecting a furnace size, a qualified contractor like Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning will perform a load calculation on your home to determine exactly how much heating it requires. If a proper calculation is not performed, or if your contractor simply looks at the size of your previous system, you might have a furnace that’s too big or too small for your home. An improperly sized furnace will never operate as efficiently as its AFUE rating suggests.
  • Furnace is poorly installed. A furnace installation is not a simple task. To do it correctly, your installer must be properly trained, tested, and certified according to the latest industry standards. Improper installations are common when working with unqualified contractors, and the problems that they cause can decrease your furnace’s efficiency levels throughout its entire operating life.
  • Your home has air leaks. A furnace’s AFUE rating describes the percentage of gas a system consumes that is turned into useful heat for your home. However, your furnace will operate inefficiently if some of that “useful heat” escapes your home through air leaks. Air leaks can be found in several different places throughout your home, but they are most problematic around windows and doors that are not properly sealed.
  • Lack of proper maintenance. Your furnace might operate at its full potential right after it’s installed, but it requires regular maintenance to maintain those efficiency levels. The two best ways to ensure your furnace remains efficient throughout its lifetime are to schedule a professional tune-up before every heating season and ensure that your furnace always has a clean filter by checking and/or changing your filter once every month.

If you have any questions about how to get the full potential out of your furnace’s efficiency level, or if you’d like a heating system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis heating and cooling contractor. We service the St. Louis area, including towns like Cottleville, Creve Coeur, and Dardenne Prairie.

photo credit: One Way Stock via photopin cc

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