Your heating system dictates how much you pay in energy in Calgary. It also determines whether or not you have to worry about unplanned failures.
Not sure whether your unit is working efficiently?You can assess certain performance indicators.
Increased energy bills and no increased usage
Maybe your heating bill is on the rise. But there is no change in usage habits. That means efficiency isdeteriorating. Over time, furnaces lose performance through:
- Wear of components
- Constriction of airflow
- Combustion problems.
To be sure, compare your utility bills. Notice a continuous increasing trend? Particularly in similar weather conditions? This is a probable indication of low efficiency.
Or maybe your system is aged. Old furnaces have a lower efficiency than new-age systems.
Abnormal noises or a change in performance
Some level of sound is normal. But beware of these abnormal sounds:
- Banging
- Rattling
- Squealing
- Humming.
You may also notice performance changes like:
- Delayed ignition
- Weak airflow from vents
- Longer warm-up times.
These signs indicate mechanical inefficiencies. Luckily, they can be fixed. You only need to seek a professional furnace repair Calgary. An expert technician can restore performance and avert total system failure.
Lack of even heating in the house
An efficient furnace will always distribute heatevenly. But you may notice that certain rooms are always colder than others. Then the system is possibly having some difficulty in regulating the airflow. Maybe it doesn’t have sufficient output.
Common causes include:
- Blower motor inefficiency
- Duct leakage
- Clogged filters.
- Failed internal components.
Uneven distribution of heat causes the system to run harder. This lowers efficiency. It also accelerates internal wear.
Regular cycling or continuous operation
Your boiler must adhere to a regular pattern of heating. When it is turned on, it reaches the desired temperature. Then, it turns off.
However, yours might be cycling on and off. This is called short cycling. Maybe it is running nearly all the time. Then it might be inefficient.
Short cycling may be due to:
- Heat loss. This happens because of poor ventilation.
- Thermostat malfunction.
- Improper system sizing.
Constant running usually implies deteriorating heating capability.
In either scenario, over-cycling hastens the degradation of components. In addition, it consumes more energy.
Age and efficiency rating
Your furnace may be more than 15-20 years old. This means it is probably not as efficient as the modern ones.
Your older unit might still be working. However, fuelconsumption will be high. This translates to a higher cost of operation in the long run.
Modern high-efficiency systems can achieve AFUE ratings of 90–98%. Older units may operate at 70–80%.
The bottom line
With lower efficiency, repairs are constant. Replacement can turn out to be less expensive than continued repairs.
