| Home Energy Savings -- Furnace Inspection and Tune-Up |
From "Home Energy Savings"
episode HES-104 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Whether you use gas or electricity, statistics show that most home heating systems are only about 60 percent efficient. Systems that aren't properly maintained may be less than 50 percent efficient. That's why keeping your heating system tuned up is one of the most important things you can do to keep your heating bills under control. In this segment, home heating and cooling systems specialist Dave Carlson professionally checks a heating and ventilation (HVAC) system. The furnace shown in this demonstration (figure A) is a forced-air furnace. This style is popular since it handles heating during the winter as well as air-conditioning during the summer. Another variety that is still fairly common is the hot-water -- or boiler -- heating system.
How It Works When a home system's thermostat (figure B) is turned up, an electrical signal is sent to the heating equipment, where a valve or relay-switch starts the fuel-burning process (figure C). When the furnace heats up, another control turns on the blower fan, which circulates warm air throughout the house. In the case of a hot-water system, a pump circulates hot water into radiators located throughout the house.
Furnace Inspection and Filters It's best to have professionals conduct inspections and adjustments on your furnace. There are some things that homeowners can do themselves, however -- such as changing air filters on a regular basis. It's a good idea to know some basics about the furnace used in your home. Safety Alert: Always turn off the fuel supply and electrical power before doing any inspection or maintenance on your furnace. Determine where the fuel supply is located (figure D) and know how to turn it off. Similarly, turn off the electrical switch (figure E) that controls the power supply to the furnace. After you have finished inspecting your furnace, remember to turn the fuel line and electricity back on. The best place to start on your furnace is with the filter. A dirty filter will cause excessive strain on your furnace, increase heating costs and reduce the life of your equipment. Make sure that your furnace filter has a cover over the slot, ensuring an efficient return-air system. Not having a cover poses a safety issue. Here are some general guidelines for maintenance on various types of filters: - Examine inexpensive fiberglass filters once a month during the heating and cooling seasons.
- Pleated filters can last up to three months.
- Wash and rinse permanent filters monthly.
- Clean electronic air-cleaner filters every other month.
Professional Furnace Tune-Up When it comes to servicing and fine-tuning your furnace, this job should be left to professionals. Our HVAC expert recommends having your furnace professionally cleaned every other year. Following is a list of things that might be included in a typical furnace tune-up. - First, the system is set to "heat," the thermostat is turned up, and the fuel-jets are checked to make sure that the fuel-burning process is properly initiated.
- After turning off the power and fuel supply, the specialist conducts a visual inspection of the venting system (figure F), designed to remove flue gases. Venting ducts are checked to make sure they are in good condition and well sealed, and joints are checked. Each joint should be sealed using at least three metal screws (figure G).
- The furnace cover and blower-compartment covers are then removed (figure H ) to inspect the mechanical parts and check the filter.
- The filter is removed (figure I) and checked to see whether it needs replacing. The filter shown in our demonstration was an older style filter.
- Typical filters slip into a slot in the air-handling portion of the furnace. They are marked with an air-flow indicator (figure J). It's important that the filter is installed so that it is oriented properly, with the arrow pointing in the direction toward the furnace.
- The technician uses flashlights and some specialized mirrors to check the condition of the blower (figure K) to make certain there are no obstructions. For some furnaces, the blower motor is lubricated periodically.
- The burners are then removed from the furnace (figure L) for cleaning and to provide better access for a visual examination inside the furnace. The inside of the furnace chamber is inspected for rust, holes, separated seams, etc.
- The burners are cleaned (figure M) using fresh water to remove any dust and debris. This will ensure safer and more efficient burning.
- The sensor and pilot is cleaned (figure N) with a wire brush and an emery cloth. This will help ensure that these devices operate effectively.
- The components are then rassembled (figure O) and put back into the furnace.
- The "high limit" on the furnace is checked to prevent overheating, and the gas meter is clocked (figure P) to check the rate of fuel usage.
- The final safety test is to check the flue products for carbon monoxide levels -- using a carbon monoxide meter (figure Q) -- to be sure that the furnace is burning cleanly.
Safety Tip: It's highly recommended that you invest in a carbon monoxide alarm (figure R) for the inside of your home. This will alert you if potentially dangerous carbon monoxide gas levels get too high in your living space.
Safety Tip: Keep the area around the furnace clean and unobstructed for safety and accessibility.
RESOURCES :
136 Best Ways to Save on Your Home Energy
ISBN: 0376012048
(January, 2002)
Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com
Retrofitting for Energy Conservation
Model: 0070119201
Author: William H. Clark
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Energy-Efficient Building: The Best of Fine Homebuilding
ISBN: 1561583405
From The Best of Fine Homebuilding book series.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Save Energy, Save Money
ISBN: 0028642791
Authors: Alvin Ubell, George Merlis
Macmillan / Alpha Books
Website: www.macmillan.com
Achieving Energy Independence -- One Step at a Time
Model: 0966933605
Author: Jeffrey R. Yago
Dunimis Technology
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and Micro Wind Systems
Model: 1890132071
Author: Paul Gipe, Karen Perez
(Real Goods Solar Living Book)
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Wind Power for Home & Business: Renewable Energy for the 1990s and Beyond
Model: 0930031644
Author: Paul Gipe
(Real Goods Independent Living Book)
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Minnegasco
Dave Carlson, a home heating specialist with Minnegasco, was featured on DIY's Home Energy Savigs.
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
