Your furnace is sometimes taken for granted. It does its job, quietly working away to keep you warm during the winter, not causing any trouble … mostly!
Today, we’re giving you even more reasons to be thankful:
1. Your furnace is saving money, not spending money
Furnaces may be energy spenders, but they’re also energy-savers! How so? Well, if you’ve just installed a new system, then chances are it’s at least 92% efficient, or even higher. Installing a furnace that’s more efficient than the old model is an incredibly easy way to save money. You can think of a 92% efficient furnace as saving 92 cents on the dollar – not bad, especially considering that the average home furnace is only 80% efficient.
Also, a new furnace tends to have other energy-saving features that save you money in the long run. For example, some new furnaces have a “variable speed” fan rather than a fan that is simply “on” or “off.” A variable-speed fan slows down to save money and energy by blowing as fast as needed, rather than a sometimes efficiency-wasting full-blast “on” setting.
If you’ve got a new furnace model, you can definitely be thankful for all the money-saving features!
2. Your furnace helps keep you healthy
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home is usually 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside. Whether we’re talking about pollen, dust mites, or bacteria, allergy-triggering irritants can be reduced by … you’ll never guess … your furnace!
How does this work? Well, by recirculating air through your home, your furnace blower helps sweep away as many allergens as possible, taking them back through the filter and keeping your air clean. Of course, for this to work, you need a clean air filter! Over 1,000 cubic feet of air passes through your air filter every minute, and so, if yours is dirty, then it’s being asked to do a job it just can’t do … and your air will get dirtier, not cleaner.
Your heating system filters out pollutants and allergens to give you cleaner, fresher air. Breathe easier!
3. The science behind your HVAC system is fascinating
Another reason to appreciate your furnace is how much of a scientific miracle it truly is. From the combustion process to heat transfer, it’s all pretty mind-boggling if you stop and think about it. The first true central heating system was invented in 1919 by Alice Parker. Her furnace was the first to be powered by natural gas, instead of wood or coal. For such a furnace to function, first, gas must generate heat in the burner. Then, the heat goes into a heat exchanger, which “releases” the heat. Then, air from your home is mixed with the heat, creating hot air that is redistributed to your home through the furnace’s blower. This is truly a marvel – and the Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to appreciate it!
Of course, if you have any reason not to be thankful for your furnace, then you should call Ballard as soon as possible! We are ready to answer your questions and ensure that you’re comfy at home over the holidays. Contact us online or call now: 909-297-1914