It seems like the cold months are finally past, which means that at last your home’s heating unit that has worked hard all winter can take a break. A homeowner in Litchfield recently contacted us inquiring about what he should do for his heating system before it lies dormant through the summer.
Turn Off Your Furnace During The Summer To Save On Heating Costs
After seeing the high heating bills over the coldest New England months, it can be tempting to simply “flip a switch”, taking a break from this during the summer. It may surprise you to know that your home’s furnace does still consumer natural gas, propane or whatever heating fuel you use, even in the summer. It also continues to consume electricity, powering valves and sensors 24/7.
Even when not in use, your heating system’s pilot light is still burning gas, staying lit at all times. The pilot light in a furnace or fireplace consumes 600 – 900 BTUs. A gas furnace also has electronic valves and a thermocouple that consume electricity, even when the unit is not in use. Turning off the gas and electricity to your furnace during the summer months can save up to $25 / year.
Using Central Air Conditioning? Keep Electric On
If you are using air conditioning in the home during the summer months, you will not be able to turn off the electricity to your furnace. The air blower is used by the AC unit to blow cold air throughout the home.
In the case of this Litchfield homeowner, his home was equipped with central air conditioning. While he did have to keep the electricity going to the furnace, turning off the pilot light will save him money all summer long.
The post How Do I Prep My Heating System for the Summer, Litchfield, NH Homeowner Asks appeared first on Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. – Nashua, NH.
