Make your home more energy efficient

Everything you do in your home, from taking a bath to keeping rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter, takes energy. On average, heating our space is responsible for over 50% of our total energy consumption.

Source: Natural Resources Canada


Selecting the right system for your home

According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, most furnaces in Canadian houses can provide far more heat than the house requires. A properly sized furnace will be running almost continuously during the coldest day of the winter. Having a furnace of a correct size will result in efficient operation during the whole heating season.

An independent Trane dealer can determine the correct system type and size for your home by doing a room-by-room load calculation. This heat loss/heat gain analysis is the best indicator of the correct system size and takes into consideration such critical factors as: climate, number of windows and type of window treatments, insulation and ductwork, building materials and roof construction, skylights and fireplaces, ceiling heights and the number of people in your home.

How to Choose a Dealer?

Study up
Before you call a dealer, know the model of your current system and its maintenance history. Also make note of any uncomfortable rooms. This will help potential dealers better understand your heating and cooling needs.

Ask for referrals
Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for dealer referrals. You can also contact local trade organizations for names of members in your area.

Call references
Ask dealers for customer references and call them. Ask about the dealer's installation or service performance, and if the job was completed on time and within budget.

Look for ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR qualified products meet energy efficiency guidelines and offer significant long-term energy savings. Dealers should be able to show you calculations of savings for ENERGY STAR heating and cooling equipment.

Expect a home evaluation
The dealer should spend significant time inspecting your current system and home to assess your needs. A good dealer will inspect your duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and insulation and measure airflow to make sure it meets manufacturers' specifications.

Discuss Health Issues
While we agree with the ENERGY STAR tips, Trane also recommends a few additional measures: Let the dealer know if you have condition-specific needs such as allergies, asthma or another respiratory issue. While they are not doctors, they can provide you with information about whole-house air cleaning products that can significantly reduce allergy and asthma triggers.

Knowledge and training
Ensure that the dealer is up to speed on the latest HVAC research and well-versed about available products and their benefits.

Heating system tips for energy efficiency

1. Clean your heating filters. Check them every couple of weeks and change them at least twice in the season, or as directed by the manufacturer.


2. Check and maintain your insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawlspaces drain away heat and can also lead to moisture imbalance. Adding weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors can also go a long way to improving your home's insulation.


3. Turn down your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat a few degrees cooler can lower your heating bills and still not affect your home's comfort. Install a programmable thermostat to keep temperatures regular.


4. Clean the furnace area. Don't keep chemicals or cleaning products near your heater, and don't store anything next to it that could impede ventilation.


5. Keep vents and returns free of obstructions. Don't lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front of them, or obstruct the flow of air.


6. Install a humidifier. Humidity in summer makes you feel hotter; the same is true in winter. Dry air feels cooler than moist air. A simple humidifier may make the home feel five degrees warmer than a home with dry air.


7. Have your home heating system inspected by a professional technician. Even the most efficient system can suffer if it is not properly maintained. A properly serviced system heats more efficiently.