You can get more fuel savings out of your furnace if you get it tuned up every fall. We Canadians spend a lot of money on fuel, and using it wisely makes sense. This infographic presents statistics that show you how much you can really save – even after the cost of servicing is included. It also shows you some additional ways to get more for your heating dollar.
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Text Version: How Furnace Tune Ups Save You Money
Just like your car, heating and cooling equipment runs better when you get it checked regularly. But how much of an impact does it really make?
Your Budget
Canadian households spend an average of $1,977.21 on electricity and natural gas*. That’s out of a total household income of $74,540.
Heating and cooling takes a big bite out of that energy spending:
- Heating your home: 63%
- Hot water: 17%
- Appliances: 17%
- Lighting: 4%
- Cooling your home: 2%
In Ontario, natural gas is the primary source of heating:
- 58% natural gas
- 30% electricity
- 12% other, including oil
Heating our homes is expensive and bad for the environment: heating is responsible for 2X as much greenhouse gasses as the average car.
How Furnace Efficiency Effects Fuel Costs
Can tune ups save you money on fuel? They sure can!
Facts:
- 5% – 20% : Average energy efficiency increase after a tune up**. (This will vary depending on quality of installation, age of furnace, previous maintenance etc.)
- $150 : Approximate cost of a furnace checkup.
- 15 years : Lifespan of the average furnace.
- $395.44 : Annual fuel savings with yearly maintenance (at 20% efficiency increase).
$5,931.63 = Fuel savings over 15 years.
– $2,250 = Cost of the yearly checkups
:::::::_
= $3681.63 Total savings over 15 years
But that’s not all….
With Tune Ups You Get
- 3-Way Savings:
- Better energy efficiency all winter long means less spent on fuel.
- Extend the life of your furnace, and purchase fewer furnaces in your lifetime.
- Avoid costly emergency repairs.
- Safety – your technician will check for:
- Release of deadly carbon monoxide.
- Blocked flue.
- Fire hazards.
- Peace of Mind:
- Get any needed repairs done before a breakdown happens.
The Best Time to Get Your Furnace Serviced:
Fall, before you turn on your furnace.
Your furnace’s biggest enemies are:
- Dust, dirt and hair. Make sure you change that filter!
- Combustion by-products.
- Heating and cooling of parts over time.
More Tips To Save Money on Heating
Replace Your Old, Inefficient Furnace
- 98% : Efficiency level of a new furnace – only 2% is wasted.
- 20-30 %: wastage of an average 18 year old furnace.
Next time you buy a furnace, look for the Energy Star High Efficiency logo. Energy Star-certified furnaces can cut your fuel bill by $200 – $325 year, depending on winter severity.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
For every 1 degree you reduce your temperature for 8 hours, you save 5% – 15% on your yearly heating bill.
- Only 48% of Ontario households use a programmable thermostat.
Insulate Your Home
Insulating homes can reduce heating and cooling costs by 32%
- Only 58% of households have made a home retrofit to improve insulation in walls or attics, install better windows, or seal around doors and windows.
Get Your Ductwork Checked
- Air lost in ductwork due to leaks in the average house: 20%
Remember AFUE efficiency ratings for furnaces do not include heating losses due to air ducts. If your ducts aren’t sealed, you’re probably not getting the efficiency you think you are.
Sources:
- http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/categories/heating/13740
- http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-526-s/2010001/part-partie1-eng.htm
- http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/famil108a-eng.htm
- http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac
- http://www.blueterraenergy.com/residential-programs/
- https://saveonenergy.ca/Consumer/Programs/HVAC-Rebates.aspx
- http://www.aceee.org/consumer/heating#savings
- http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/furnaces-and-boilers
- http://www.gastechnology.org/Solutions/Documents/BAPARR-Reports/Energy-Savings-From-System-Efficiency-Improvements-in-Iowa-HVAC-SAVE-Program-PARR.pdf page 18, table 6
- http://www.powerhousetv.com/Energy-EfficientLiving/HeatingCooling/027584
- http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/thermostats
Notes:
* $1757: a 2007 amount obtained from Stats Canada, was converted to 2014 dollars using the Bank of Canada’s inflation calculator: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/
**20% was found in a US Department of Energy Study: http://www.gastechnology.org/Solutions/Documents/BAPARR-Reports/Energy-Savings-From-System-Efficiency-Improvements-in-Iowa-HVAC-SAVE-Program-PARR.pdf page 18, table 6
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