Home appliances look pretty much the same on the outside, but they vary greatly in terms of their ability to be energy efficient on the inside. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run. Insulation is also an important component of maintaining an energy efficient home.
Furnaces
Modern condensing furnaces are the most energy efficient heating systems on the market today. An easy way to choose the most efficient furnace is to look for e2SMART® label. e2SMART® furnaces must have an AFUE rating of 90 percent or greater, and it will have a sealed combustion chamber.
Furnaces are rated by their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). Their AFUE rating must be posted on the furnace's yellow Energy Guide label on the side of the appliance. If your furnace has a pilot light that can see constantly burning inside the combustion chamber, or if it is more than 25 years old, it probably has an AFUE rating of 60 to 70 percent. That means that more than one fourth of the fuel you purchase is wasted and never gets used to heat your home.
You have two choices when shopping for an efficient gas furnace. A mid-efficiency furnace (80% AFUE rating or above) should save you 15% to 20% of your current heating costs. A high-efficiency furnace (90% AFUE rating or above) furnace should save you between 20 and 25 percent.
The most energy efficient furnaces have an AFUE rating of over 90%. Furnaces recover extra heat by taking water from the combustion gases within a special corrosion-resistant heat exchanger. They draw combustion air from the outdoors, if there is an extra margin of safety by eliminating the possibility of back drafting and carbon monoxide poisoning.
To make your current furnace more energy efficient, make sure it is properly insulated. Taping the seams of your furnace also helps insulate the system even more to prevent heat from escaping. Taping the seams makes the unit run more efficiently, as well.
Insulation
No matter how efficient your heating and cooling system is, it won’t make a difference if your home’s walls can’t hold in the warmth or keep out the cold. Heating and cooling can be responsible for up to 70% of a home’s energy use. Properly insulating your home can help you keep the heat in where you want it to be and your heating bills low.
Insulation does more than just lower your heat bills in the winter, it can also:
• Increase the resale value of your home
• Make your home comfortable in the summer, as well
• Your home is more durable, as condensation that can decay materials, is prevented
If you want a more energy efficient home but are not sure where to put insulation to make it that way, consider these areas:
• The attic, including the door or hatch cover
• Under any floors that are above unheated spaces
• Around walls in heated basements
• Exterior walls
An energy audit can show how much insulation you have and how much more you need. Think of insulation like a big blanket that keeps the warmth in the house.
While energy efficiency is a bit of trend right now, it makes perfect sense. Things like a more efficient furnace and a better insulated home both help save you money and save the environment.
