Cutting Heating Costs

Appropriate heating system care and clever purchases can assist you decrease the high expenses of heating your home. That’s good news thinking about that energy bills-which are already traditionally high-are anticipated to continue to climb up. In reality, a current short article in USA Today reported that house owners typically will see a 25.7 percent boost in heating expenses compared to a year earlier.

To reduce heating costs, experts state that the energy performance of your heater is incredibly important. According to Jim Miller of Amana brand name heaters, “Homeowners don’t have much control over the cost of natural gas, but they can take steps to minimize the impact of house heating expenses.” He uses these ideas:

“If you haven’t currently done so this year, have a licensed HVAC specialist inspect your heater now,” Miller stressed. “He can carry out a security evaluation and tidy your heater so that it runs as effectively as possible.”

2. When Buying a New Furnace, Choose High-Efficiency. A heater’s efficiency is suggested by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency percentage, or “AFUE,” a measurement established by the U.S. Department of Energy. The higher a heater’s AFUE, the more efficient it is. “Furnaces older than 15 years run at efficiencies of around 60% AFUE. This means that for every dollar invested in heating expenses, only 60 cents actually helps warm your home, while the remaining 40 cents is wasted.

“If you were to replace that 60% AFUE heating system with a high-efficiency system, such as the Amana brand AMV9 96% AFUE Variable-Speed Furnace, you would get 96 cents worth of warmth for every dollar you spend towards heating your house,” said Miller.

Because the blowers typically require up to 75 percent less electrical power than a basic motor, he added that heaters with a variable-speed blower are even more effective. In addition, a furnace’s blower likewise deals with the house’s cooling system, suggesting consumers experience increased efficiency year-round.

3. Examine Tax Credits for High-Efficiency Furnace Purchases. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), property owners who buy heaters with an AFUE of 95% or greater in 2006 and 2007 may receive a tax credit of $150. And if that heater uses a variable-speed blower, they might get approved for an additional $50 tax credit.

Proper heater care and clever purchases can help you lower the high costs of heating your home. To minimize heating expenses, professionals say that the energy effectiveness of your heater is extremely essential. A heater’s performance is indicated by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency percentage, or “AFUE,” a measurement developed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), property owners who acquire heaters with an AFUE of 95% or higher in 2006 and 2007 might qualify for a tax credit of $150.