5 Heating Upgrades to Make Your Home Cozy and Energy-Efficient This Winter
Posted On January 24, 2025

As winter gets underway, Bend homeowners need to invest in the right heat pump and furnace upgrades. Colder temperatures force your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to work harder to achieve the same temperature level. Because of this, you need the best furnace and heat pump efficiency possible. By getting the top winter heating solutions, you can ensure your Bend home has energy-efficient heating throughout the wintertime.
5 Heating Upgrades Your Home Needs for an Energy-Efficient Winter
At Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, we have helped local residents upgrade their heating systems since 1993. By getting some of the following heating upgrades in Bend, you can ensure better performance, higher energy-efficiency levels, and a more comfortable home.Upgrade #1: Install a High-Efficiency Furnace
To be considered a high-efficiency furnace, the furnace must have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90%. The maximum AFUE possible is 98.5%. If high-efficiency furnaces have an AFUE of 95%, it means that 95% of energy becomes heat and 5% gets lost to the chimney or elsewhere. By getting a high-efficiency furnace, your home can enjoy significant energy savings and it will also protect the environment. When you change from a 56% efficiency to a 90% efficiency, your home will reduce its annual carbon dioxide production by 1.5 tons. When you need less energy to heat your home, your utility bills are directly impacted each month. Additionally, your home can enjoy a better level of performance. Because your furnace will be more efficient, it will be able to heat and cool your home to the right temperature much faster than before.Upgrade #2: Upgrade to a Heat Pump
If you’re trying to find energy-saving heating solutions, a heat pump is a good option to check out. With a heat pump, you can enjoy a superior level of energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. Today’s heat pumps use up to 75% less energy than furnaces, so you can significantly reduce your energy expenditures. Because a heat pump functions differently than a furnace, it can use significantly less heat. Rather than producing heat, heat pumps transfer heat like an air conditioner does. During the winter, the heat pump’s refrigerant can absorb heat from the outdoors and bring it inside your home. Then, it can reverse the process during the summer, so you can enjoy a cool home during the hottest months of the year. Today’s heat pumps are incredibly effective at absorbing heat from the air. Even when it seems like there is no heat outside during the winter, the heat pump can still absorb the slight heat that is present to warm your home. Investing in a heat pump for winter can ensure your home is comfortable during cold snaps. More importantly, an energy-efficient heat pump can save you money on your energy bills.Upgrade #3: Smart Thermostats for Precision Control
If you want to save money on your energy bills, smart thermostats are one of the most effective heating upgrades in Bend. With a furnace or heat pump thermostat integration, you can enjoy better temperature control, lower energy bills, and improved heating schedules. With a smart thermostat, you can instantly access your thermostat from any location that has an internet connection. If you forget to turn your heat down while you’re on vacation, you can easily use your mobile device to update the temperature in your home. Besides remote access, a smart thermostat also allows you to program different temperatures for different days of the week and times of the day. For example, you can set your indoor temperature lower when you are at work during the day. Then, the temperature can automatically increase right before you return home. During the hours that you are typically asleep, you can drop the temperature by a few degrees to save on energy costs. By using a smart thermostat for furnace or heat pump systems, you can save a significant amount on your energy bills each month. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, dropping your temperature by 7°F to 10°F for just eight hours a day can lower your energy bills by 10% per year.Upgrade #4: Improve Ductwork and Insulation
For the best energy efficiency, schedule HVAC maintenance in the spring and fall to ensure your HVAC system is functioning properly. Routine maintenance is important because the typical ductwork system loses 10% to 30% of the energy used to heat the home. Often, ducts are located in attics, crawlspaces, and basements that have especially cold temperatures during the winter, leading to higher heat loss. As a homeowner, one of the best things you can use to reduce heat loss is to optimize your home’s ductwork and insulation. Insulated attics and crawl spaces stay warmer, reducing the impact on your ducts. Additionally, the ducts should be inspected and sealed regularly, so you don’t lose heat through gaps and pinhole leaks. If you’re looking for energy-saving heating solutions, you should consider installing a ductless heat pump. Because this type of system doesn’t rely on ducts, it is incredibly energy efficient. A ductless system is also a cost-effective installation option for homes that don’t have existing ductwork. By updating your ductwork, investing in ductless systems, insulating your home, and performing other important updates, you can minimize the amount of heat that gets lost. Additionally, you can ensure more consistent temperatures and a more comfortable home.Upgrade #5: Routine Maintenance and Professional Tune-Ups
If you want to keep your home warm this winter and save money on your energy bills, don’t forget to schedule heat pump and furnace maintenance. Ideally, we recommend scheduling a furnace or heat pump tune-up before winter begins so that you can prevent unexpected breakdowns during cold spells. During a routine maintenance appointment, the HVAC technician will inspect your heating system’s components for signs of wear and tear. Then, they can repair or replace these components as needed. Finally, the technician will clean and lubricate moving parts. Throughout the maintenance check, the technician will inspect your furnace or heat pump for signs of a problem. By getting these issues repaired early, you can prevent more expensive problems from developing in the future. Additionally, timely repairs and maintenance can increase the longevity of your HVAC system, reduce breakdowns, and ensure peak performance. If repairs are needed, the HVAC technician will discuss their recommendations so that you know exactly what to expect. With the best furnace and heat pump repair in Bend, you can enjoy a warmer home this winter.Upgrade Your Heating System This Winter
Through energy-saving heating solutions, you can improve your HVAC system’s energy efficiency and performance this winter. If you are unsure about the upgrades your home needs, one of our HVAC technicians can help. We can inspect your system and determine if smart thermostats, ductless heat pumps, ductwork sealing, or other upgrades are necessary for your home. If you are interested in learning more about the best heating upgrades in Bend, our team of professional HVAC technicians can help. Learn more about energy-efficient heating services by filling out our online form or giving us a call today.Service Request
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