(NC)-On a daily basis, the filter for your central heating and air conditioning system works hard to provide clean, healthy air in your home by trapping dust, pet hair and other air-borne particles. However, over time the build up of these elements produces an increasingly thicker barrier on the filter, creating resistance by restricting air flow and making it more difficult for your furnace fan to circulate air efficiently. The dirty buildup forces the blower in your furnace to work harder, thereby drawing more electricity to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Over time, these dust particles can build up and stick to other components of your furnace, such as the cooling coil, meaning that your furnace has to work even harder in the summer months to keep your house cool.
"Once the dust starts to stick to the furnace's cooling coil, it not only affects the efficiency of the furnace, but you may have to call a qualified technician to properly clean the internal components," notes Bill Wylie, program manager at the Ontario Power Authority. "A great way to increase your furnace's energy efficiency, and help minimize dirt build-up, is to change your furnace filter once a month."
To maximize your central air conditioning system's efficiency, Wylie recommends:
• purchasing pleated fabric or electrostatic furnace filters and replacing them every month;
• getting a tune-up for your air conditioning system each spring;
• replacing your CAC system if it is more than 10 years old, with a new ENERGY STAR qualified system.
More information on how to
improve your furnace's energy efficiency is available at www.everykilowattcounts.com.
-News Canada