Heated by electricity, natural gas, oil or propane, a forced-air furnace system includes a fan, filter and network of supply and return ducts.

Older furnaces less efficient
About one-quarter of furnaces in American homes today are more than 20 years old.* If you have an older furnace, chances are it’s much less efficient than new, high-efficiency heating systems. You might achieve significant savings by upgrading. For example, a new high-efficiency heat pump uses 40 percent less electricity to heat your home compared to an electric furnace.**

Use our Energy Comparison Tool to compare how your current furnace stacks up against a new heating system.

Maximize your furnace system’s energy efficiency and performance
Choose ENERGY STAR®.
If you buy a new furnace, look for an ENERGY STAR qualified model for higher energy efficiency.

Make sure ducts are sealed and insulated.
Otherwise, you can lose a lot of heat where your ducts travel through an unheated attic, basement or crawl space, making your furnace work harder. If duct joints are not sealed and come apart at joints, you not only lose heat but dirt, insects and rodents can enter your system.

Turn down the heat.
For energy-savings, 68 degrees is a good setting. Each degree you drop your thermostat can save an estimated 2 percent on your heating bill. (For heat pump recommendations, see our Heat Pump section.)

Drop the heat overnight.
Lowering your heat to 60 degrees at bedtime, or while you’re at work, can work wonders on the bill. (Exceptions: ceiling cable heat, maximum setback 2-3 degrees. Heat pump systems vary; see our Heat Pump section for setback recommendations.)

Higher heat does not equal faster heat;
Turning the thermostat higher will not warm your house faster, it just wastes energy.

Check furnace filters.
Do this every few months and clean or replace if dirty. Dirty filters make your furnace work harder. Try to figure out the “dirty” cycle for your home — the filter might be dirtier certain times of the year. This can help you plan when to change filters to keep the system running at top effectiveness.

Vacuum registers.
This cuts down on the amount of dust circulating through your system, helping it operate more effectively. Remove register covers and cold air return vent covers, and reach in as far possible with your vacuum attachment. But be careful that you don’t accidentally knock ducts loose at joints.

Schedule regular tune-ups.
This will keep your furnace running at peak efficiency. Even if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, it’s important to have regular professional maintenance for proper adjustment on certain parts of the furnace. Try to schedule it for late summer or early fall, when heating contractors may not be as busy.

Keep vents clear.
Make sure furniture and window coverings are not blocking heating vents (otherwise you might be tempted to turn up the heat).

Don’t heat an empty house when you’re on vacation.
Lower your heat before you leave town, unless you have pets.

Switch to a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat is a great tool to help you save energy — you’ll never forget to turn down the heat.

*Source: ENERGY STAR
**Individual circumstances will vary. Ask the PGE Energy Experts, or your dealer, for more information.