Heating System Maintenance

Maintaining Your Heating System
To save money and energy, it's important to ensure that your heating system is properly maintained. In the previous section, we discussed how to properly set up and operate the thermostat. This section will look at the other two components of your heating system: the furnace and ductwork.

Furnace: Keep It Running Correctly
The first place to look for potential energy savings is the furnace itself. Just taking care of the following routine maintenance items could save 10% or more on your heating bills.

Test and Adjust Your Unit
We recommend that you call a heating professional for a complete annual checkup of your heating system to make sure it's in safe operating condition.

Clean or Replace Furnace Filters Regularly
Most furnace filters are disposable. Some filters are washable and can be cleaned when clogged or dirty. Checking the filters in your system once a month during times of high use will help insure proper airflow. Be sure to keep a couple of correctly sized filters on hand if yours are disposable. If you are installing a high efficiency filter, make sure that the airflow through the furnace can be maintained at the proper level.  Consult your contractor or local professional on how to measure and maintain airflow.

Ductwork: Stop Energy-Draining Leaks
Ductwork can be a major cause of heat loss. In fact, PG&E research shows that faulty ductwork accounts for more than 25% of the heating loss in an average California home. That means dollars out of your pocket. The good news is that ductwork problems are relatively easy and inexpensive to correct ($140/year savings potential).

Repair Disconnected Ducts
Disconnected ducts are common and a big source of heat loss -- yet they are simple to reattach with duct ties and mastic. If an attic or crawl space duct comes loose and goes unrepaired, you can lose a tremendous amount of heat and money. In essence, you could be paying hundreds of dollars a year to heat the outdoors.

The disconnected ducts also unbalance the recirculation of the heating system, which can create unsafe operating conditions. If you have a room that never gets warm, check behind vents or in crawl spaces for disconnected or crushed ducts.

Seal Leaks
Either you or a professional heating contractor should check the entire length of your ductwork for leaks, even very small ones. Turn the furnace on and feel along the duct for escaping warm air. Also look for tell-tale black marks on the duct's insulation -- these are usually the signs of leaks. Have your heating contractor seal any leaks carefully with mastic-type sealant – not duct tape. Duct tape is not a long term fix.

Don't forget to seal leaks where your furnace connects with your ductwork. It's now possible for a contractor to perform verified duct sealing by using a special fan to test duct system leakage before and after sealing efforts have been made. Research shows that verified duct sealing allows the contractor to be sure that the real leaks in the ducts are repaired.

Insulate Ducts in Unheated Spaces
Most heating ducts are in crawl spaces, attics and outdoor locations. If your ducts aren't already insulated, do it now using R-6 or higher fiberglass duct wrap. Check to ensure that hanging flexible ducts are supported every four feet with an inch and a half wide, or wider hanging strap.