Have you noticed that your furnace is consuming more fuel than it should? There are several things you can do about it. These things include:

Adjust your thermostat

One of the primary reasons your furnace is consuming too much fuel is that you have set it to work at higher temperatures than it’s supposed to.

To reduce fuel consumption, furnace service professionals recommend adjusting your thermostat downwards by a few degrees. While the house won’t be too warm and toasty when you do this, your unit won’t run at ultra-high temperatures, saving you a lot in the long run.

Another trick you can use is to use a programmable thermostat. This unit allows you to set specific temperatures for different times of the day. For example, you can select your temperature to be lower when you aren’t at home or sleeping.

During these times, the furnace doesn’t work as hard, which sees you saving money.

If your thermostat has the “Auto” or “Smart” settings, you can use them. These settings automatically adjust the temperature based on the outside temperature and your schedule, which comes in handy in keeping the furnace running efficiently.

Take good care of your furnace.

Like a car, there is no way your furnace will run efficiently if it’s in poor condition. For your unit to function optimally, you need to ensure it’s in top shape.

Some of the things you need to do to make this possible include:

Change the air filter: The air filter determines the air quality in your furnace. You must regularly check it for tear and wear and always change it if worn out.

For peace of mind, make it a habit to replace the filter every one to three months, depending on usage and the type of filter.

Always remember that a dirty air filter can reduce the furnace’s efficiency and cause the furnace to work harder than necessary.

Clean the burners: You need to clean the burners at least once a year to remove any dirt or debris that might have accumulated. To do this, you need a simple brush to remove all the trash.

Check the flue: You need to check your furnace’s flue, or chimney, for any blockages or debris that may have accumulated. If present, remove them immediately.

Check the blower: Check your furnace’s blower, or fan, for any debris or damage. You also should consider lubricating it if necessary.

Schedule annual professional maintenance: Schedule an annual professional maintenance check at least once a year.

You need to hire a qualified technician to check and clean the furnace. The professional should inspect the unit and perform any necessary repairs or adjustments.

Insulate your home

You might have the best and most efficient furnace, but it fails to function as well as it should due to leaks in your home that remove the hot air from the house or allow cold air in, which leads to the furnace overworking.

To prevent this from happening, you should insulate your home.

A great place to start is in your attic. You can use blown-in insulation or rolls of insulation to add insulation that will keep in as much hot air as possible.

Insulating your walls can also be highly effective at reducing heat loss. To add the insulating material, drill holes and inject insulation. You can also remove the drywall and add some insulation to the walls.

If you have a crawlspace or unfinished basement, you can insulate the floors to keep the house warm and reduce heat loss.

While at it, look for air leaks around the doors, windows, and other openings and seal them using caulk, weather stripping, or expandable foam sealant.

Get a new furnace

Your furnace might be failing to run efficiently because it’s old. If you have had your unit for more than ten years and it’s constantly breaking down, or you feel it’s running inefficiently, instead of fixing it now and then, furnace repair service Long Island professionals recommend getting a new unit.

When getting the new appliance, get a high-quality one with a high energy star rating.