How to Improve Furnace Efficiency in Calgary: Tips for Lower Energy Bills and Enhanced Comfort


With Calgary’s long, cold winters, keeping your furnace running efficiently is essential for staying warm without skyrocketing energy bills. An efficient furnace not only reduces heating costs but also minimizes wear and tear, leading to fewer repairs and a longer lifespan. At Shift Heating & Cooling Services, we specialize in helping Calgary homeowners maintain and improve furnace efficiency. Here are practical tips to help you get the most out of your heating system this winter.

1. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance

Routine maintenance is the key to a healthy, efficient furnace. A professional tune-up includes cleaning, inspecting, and adjusting all components to ensure your system runs smoothly. Some benefits of regular maintenance include:

  • Improved Energy Efficiency: Maintenance keeps parts clean and calibrated, so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard to heat your home.
  • Extended Lifespan: By reducing wear and tear, annual tune-ups can prolong the life of your furnace.
  • Enhanced Safety: Technicians inspect for gas leaks, carbon monoxide risks, and ensure safe operation.

Scheduling an annual tune-up, ideally before winter, ensures your furnace is prepared for Calgary’s cold months.

2. Replace or Clean Your Air Filter Regularly

One of the simplest ways to improve furnace efficiency is to keep the air filter clean. Clogged filters restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work harder and consume more energy. Aim to replace or clean your air filter every 1-3 months during the heating season, depending on factors like:

  • Indoor Air Quality: Homes with pets or smokers may need more frequent filter changes.
  • Usage: If your furnace runs frequently, the filter will need to be replaced more often.

A clean filter improves airflow, reduces strain on the furnace, and enhances indoor air quality.

3. Seal Ductwork and Air Leaks

Air leaks in ductwork, windows, doors, and other areas of your home can cause warm air to escape, forcing your furnace to work overtime to maintain temperature. To improve efficiency:

  • Seal Ducts: Have a professional inspect and seal your ducts to prevent leaks. Insulating ducts in unheated areas (like basements or attics) can also reduce heat loss.
  • Weatherstrip Windows and Doors: Adding weatherstripping around doors and windows minimizes drafts and helps keep warm air inside.
  • Close Gaps: Check for gaps in walls, ceilings, and around pipes, and seal them with caulk or insulation.

By reducing air leaks, you help maintain a consistent temperature and decrease the workload on your furnace.

4. Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

A programmable or smart thermostat allows you to manage your heating more efficiently, especially during times when you’re away or sleeping. These thermostats allow you to:

  • Set Temperature Schedules: Lower the temperature when you’re not home or asleep, and automatically raise it before you wake up or return home.
  • Optimize Energy Use: Smart thermostats can learn your habits, track energy use, and adjust settings to save energy without sacrificing comfort.

Using a smart or programmable thermostat reduces unnecessary heating, ultimately improving furnace efficiency and cutting down on energy bills.

5. Ensure Vents and Registers Are Open and Unblocked

Blocked vents and registers can reduce airflow and make it harder for your furnace to heat your home efficiently. To improve airflow:

  • Keep Vents Open: Contrary to popular belief, closing vents in unused rooms can make your furnace less efficient and increase pressure in the ductwork, potentially causing leaks.
  • Remove Obstructions: Make sure furniture, rugs, and drapes aren’t covering vents or registers. Clear airflow ensures even heating and reduces the workload on your furnace.

6. Improve Home Insulation

Good insulation is one of the best ways to retain heat in your home, making your furnace’s job easier. Common insulation upgrades include:

  • Attic Insulation: Heat rises, so ensuring your attic is well-insulated helps prevent heat loss.
  • Wall Insulation: Older homes in Calgary may benefit from additional insulation in walls to keep indoor temperatures stable.
  • Basement and Crawl Space Insulation: Insulating these areas reduces cold drafts and keeps floors warmer.

By improving insulation, you reduce heat loss, helping your furnace maintain temperature without overworking.

7. Consider Zoning Your Heating System

For larger homes or homes with multiple levels, zoning can be an effective way to improve furnace efficiency. Zoning involves dividing your home into sections, each with its own thermostat, so you can heat different areas independently. Benefits of zoning include:

  • Customizable Comfort: Adjust heating based on how each zone is used, making it more comfortable and efficient.
  • Energy Savings: Avoid heating unused areas, reducing the overall workload on your furnace.

Zoning may require additional equipment but can be a worthwhile investment for long-term energy savings and comfort.

8. Invest in a High-Efficiency Furnace

If your furnace is over 15 years old, upgrading to a high-efficiency model can significantly reduce your energy consumption. High-efficiency furnaces have:

  • Higher AFUE Ratings: AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) measures a furnace’s efficiency. High-efficiency furnaces (90%+ AFUE) use more fuel effectively.
  • Advanced Features: Variable-speed blowers and modulating gas valves help maintain even temperatures while using less energy.

While the initial cost of a high-efficiency furnace is higher, the savings in energy bills can make up for it over time, especially in Calgary’s cold climate.

9. Schedule Duct Cleaning Every Few Years

Over time, dust and debris accumulate in your ducts, obstructing airflow and forcing your furnace to work harder. Scheduling a professional duct cleaning every few years can:

  • Enhance Airflow: Clean ducts improve airflow, making your furnace’s job easier.
  • Improve Indoor Air Quality: Removing dust, allergens, and other contaminants helps maintain healthier indoor air.

In homes with pets, allergies, or higher dust levels, more frequent duct cleaning may be beneficial.

10. Avoid Setting the Thermostat Too High

Setting your thermostat higher than necessary won’t heat your home faster and can increase energy use. To maximize furnace efficiency:

  • Find a Comfortable Temperature: Experiment to find a temperature that feels comfortable but isn’t excessive. Generally, 20-22°C (68-72°F) is comfortable for most people.
  • Adjust in Layers: Consider wearing warmer clothing or adding layers before increasing the thermostat. Small adjustments can make a significant impact on energy use.

Keeping the thermostat at a moderate setting helps your furnace run more efficiently and reduces energy costs.

Conclusion: Keep Your Furnace Efficient All Winter with Shift Heating & Cooling Services

Improving furnace efficiency is essential for staying comfortable and minimizing energy costs during Calgary’s cold winter months. By following these tips, you can keep your home warm and your heating system running smoothly.

At Shift Heating & Cooling Services, we’re dedicated to helping Calgary homeowners with furnace maintenance, tune-ups, and efficiency upgrades. Ready to boost your furnace efficiency? Contact us today to schedule a service and start saving on heating costs this winter!

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