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Energy 101 Heating & Cooling Furnaces, Filters & Heaters

Furnaces, Filters & Heaters

For most American homes, the furnace is the central figure of the HVAC system. The most common type of furnace runs on natural gas, though others are powered by electricity, fuel oil, heat pump, or bio-pellets. Regardless of type, it is important to replace old furnaces (over 15 years old) for safety and efficiency reasons. Additionally, proper furnace maintenance and installation are indispensible to both the lifespan of the furnace and its overall effectiveness. The easiest and most important maintenance task is to replace your disposable filters every 1-3 months and to clean your reusable filters every other month.  

Energy efficient space heaters can be used as a supplement to the furnace in some homes to provide additional heat in target areas without raising the temperature of the entire home.

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Product Types


How It Works

Click here to learn about all the different types of furnaces currently available to homeowners!

Low Cost Savings Tips:

  • Filter replacement and yearly maintenance are on the order of $100 or less and can drastically improve furnace performance. It is important to compare these maintenance costs with the cost of a new unit and your total yearly bills—it’s worth the smaller annual payments to prolong the life of your furnace and save significantly on your heating bills!
  • Remember that your furnace operates in conjunction with other systems in your home. Installing a programmable thermostat, improving sealing and insulation, and using space heating can all supplement the heat produced by your furnace.
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  • Furnaces do not operate in isolation; a home’s insulation, air ducts, and sealing all affect the system’s performance.
  • Energy efficient furnaces are up to 15% more efficient than standard models.
  • The size of your furnace should not be determined solely by the square footage of your home; the proper furnace accounts for heat loss during colder months and heat gains in warmer months.
  • Heating technicians say more than half their service calls are caused by simple dust and dirt clogging up vital motor parts—clean your filter!