We’re on a bit of a green kick here at the Yo, so we thought we’d share some advice from New Homes columnist and home inspector Tom Corbett on selecting a heater that’s kind to the environment.
In Chicago and other cities that experience protracted and often severe winters, heating expenses account for around two-thirds of the average household’s energy bill, Corbett says. Inefficient old furnaces sometimes convert more than half of their available energy into exhaust rather than heat and needlessly pollute the soil and waterways with hydrochloric and sulfuric acid.
ENERGY STAR-rated furnaces emit 10 percent or less of the available energy as exhaust, reducing the amount of fuel needed to warm your home. Corbett urges buyers to keep their new furnaces in top working order by cleaning and replacing the air filters regularly.