As the weather starts to cool down, homeowners may begin to think about furnace efficiency tips. Denver can start to get cold quickly once summer is done, and soon it’ll be time to heat your home — and pay your heating bills. Explore some valuable tips to help you save money while heating your Denver home, learn signs that you’re already facing efficiency issues, and find out when to contact the trusted local technicians at Squeak’s Plumbing, Heating, & Air for reliable HVAC services in the Mile High City.
Why Furnace Efficiency Matters in Denver’s Climate
Before learning how to save on heating bills in Denver, it’s good to know why it’s so important. By October, your heating system will likely be running most days, and you’ll probably need to keep heating your home until around April. With Denver’s snowy winters and occasional sub-zero cold snaps, your furnace needs to operate efficiently to prevent your energy bills from skyrocketing in the coldest months.
Beyond the financial benefits, putting these fall furnace maintenance tips into practice can also have environmental advantages, ensuring you’re not using excess power for the same (or worse) heating results. So, how do you keep your home’s heating system as efficient as possible?
Tip #1: Schedule a Professional Furnace Tune-Up
One of the best ways to keep your furnace running efficiently is to schedule regular professional heating tune-ups with a trusted HVAC company. A professional maintenance appointment enhances furnace performance and efficiency, extending the lifespan of your system and helping it last longer before requiring major furnace repairs or replacement.
At Squeak’s, we employ a team of highly experienced, local techs who know how to keep Denver furnaces in good condition. We recommend working with our team for a Denver furnace tune-up once a year to keep your heater running smoothly. Consider scheduling furnace maintenance before fall, when you’ll be relying on your furnace daily.
Tip #2: Replace or Clean Your Air Filter
Replacing your air filter is a simple and effective heating maintenance tip for your furnace. Air filters help prevent dust, debris, and other contaminants from entering your home through your heater. However, over time, filters become clogged and dirty, which restricts airflow, places excess strain on the system, and increases your energy bills as time passes.
To prevent a clogged filter from impacting your utility costs, we recommend cleaning or changing your filter (depending on the manufacturer’s instructions) once every one to three months. This helps prevent dust and the sometimes-poor air quality of the Denver area from impacting your system or entering your home.
Tip #3: Seal Leaks in Ductwork & Around the Home
If your system is leaking warm air, it can’t heat your home efficiently. While you can prevent heat loss somewhat by sealing drafty windows and doors, working with a professional helps keep your air ducts in good condition. If your home is free of major air leaks, but your heater still isn’t making your space comfortable, it’s worth getting Denver HVAC services to inspect your ductwork for leaks or other damage.
Tip #4: Upgrade to a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Modern smart thermostats are a convenient, energy-efficient way to control your home’s temperature. They can help you save money by providing enhanced control over your HVAC systems. Whether it’s making minor adjustments throughout the day, programming the system to only start heating your home when the sun is setting, or leaving the system set to “auto” and letting it maintain a steady temperature inside, smart thermostats are an invaluable way to boost HVAC efficiency.
Tip #5: Keep Vents & Registers Clear
If furniture, rugs, or other items are blocking air vents and registers, heat from your furnace won’t be able to circulate throughout your home. Leave at least a few inches of space in front of and above all vents to allow warm air to enter every room. Move rugs so they don’t cover vents, and pull furniture away from the wall to allow registers to function properly.
Bonus Tip: Consider a High-Efficiency Furnace
There’s only so much you can do to boost the efficiency of an old furnace. At some point, you may want to consider upgrading your system to a newer and more efficient one. In general, it’s best to replace units that are more than 10 to 15 years old or experiencing frequent breakdowns. A modern furnace helps you save on utility bills and gives you peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to deal with sudden emergency HVAC repairs anytime soon.
While making the switch to a modern, efficient furnace can be a big investment upfront, these new units pay for themselves over time in energy savings, especially if you continue to practice energy-efficient heating tips.
Signs Your Furnace May Already Be Inefficient
Furnace efficiency tips may not help if your system is already experiencing efficiency issues. If your unit is displaying any of the following symptoms, it’s a clear sign that you need heating repair or replacement.
Uneven heating
If your air ducts are clear and in good condition, but you’re still experiencing uneven heating throughout your home, it’s likely a sign of a problem deeper within the system. While cleaning or changing the air filter and performing repairs may help, you’ll likely need to replace your unit if the issue persists.
Frequent cycling
If your heater constantly turns on and off without reaching the set temperature, it’s a sign of an issue. Frequent cycling in older furnaces is a sign that it’s time to think about replacing your unit.
Strange noises
Screeching, grinding, or squealing noises from your unit typically indicate a loose or damaged component, which can impact efficiency. If you’re experiencing this problem in combination with other issues, you may need to consider getting a new system.
Rising energy bills
If your energy bills continue to rise with no change in your furnace usage, it means the system is no longer efficient. While repairs can help this temporarily, you’ll eventually need to replace the system with something more reliable.
Keep Your Denver Home Warm & Efficient This Winter
Furnace efficiency tips let you enjoy a more comfortable home throughout the Denver winter, all while paying as little as possible in energy costs. If you’re curious about the best ways to maintain your heater, need help diagnosing an issue with your current system, or are ready to get options for a modern replacement furnace, the team at Squeak’s can help with same-day service. Contact us to schedule a fall furnace tune-up before Denver’s first snow.
