Prepare For Your Furnace Installation to Keep You Out of Trouble

For your new furnace installation, the model’s efficiency level, as measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating, is important to keep a lid on high heating bills over the service life of your heating system. However, your new furnace will only be as efficient as the indoor environment where it’s installed. Learn how to properly prepare your home for your new furnace, and you’ll maintain optimal home comfort while staying out of high heating bill trouble.

An energy-efficient home is one that is sealed up tight to minimize air leakage and boasts ample insulation to hinder heat energy transfer between the living spaces. Air sealing If your home has hot and cold spots, you may have air leaks that are allowing energy dollars to freely escape. The basic tools to seal up your home are caulk, spray foam and weatherstripping. Apply caulk to gaps and cracks around windows. Spray foam may be used for larger gaps, and for spaces in the attic (e.g., around piping and the flue).

Weatherstripping is used to seal cracks in movable joints in windows and doors. Weatherstripping also should be used to seal air leaks around the attic hatch. A cold attic literally sucks in warm air from the living spaces through various cracks and openings. Insulation Installing fiberglass insulation rolls in the attic is a simple, do-it-yourself weekend project. Attics in homes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland should be insulated up to R-60. Walls and floors need adequate insulation, too, to provide a blanket for your home shell.

Energy Audit

Seek the expertise of your HVAC professional to perform an energy audit using specialized equipment to locate air leaks and insulation deficiencies in your home. Keep in mind that efficiency upgrades are generally good for the life of the home. Do it right the first time, and you’ll be rewarded with maximum home comfort and lower heating bills for years.

For more details about preparing your home for a new furnace installation, please contact us at Sobieski Services today. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

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