Reviewed and Revised 01/03/2014
Set thermostats no higher than 68 ºF when people are home.
Lower the thermostat when you sleep or not at home. Lowering the thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hrs can help you save 5-15% annually on your heating bill. Energy.gov website states that if the setback period is 8 hrs or longer than
Reviewed and Revised on 10/15/2013
The following terminology can help one understand the energy efficiency of common Home Heating Systems.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)
The efficiency of a gas (natural or propane) or oil furnace or boiler is measured in terms of its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which describes the heat produced from the energy used. This rating takes into consideration various losses that may be involved such as from pilot lights, heat out of the exhaust stack, …
Reviewed and Revised on 10/15/2013
How does a duct system work?
Air distribution systems, or duct systems, are designed to supply rooms with air that is “conditioned”—that is, heated or cooled by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment—and to recirculate or return the same volume of air back to the HVAC equipment. Your duct system has two main air transfer systems, supply and return. The supply side delivers the conditioned air to the home through individual room registers. …
