Natural Gas and the Farm
Space Heating
Natural gas for space and hot water heating accounts for 70 to 80 per cent of the total energy use in a farmhouse. Therefore, ensuring your furnace and hot water heater are operating at peak efficiency is of highest importance.
Consider upgrading your old furnace to a high efficiency model. Two important points in choosing a natural gas furnace are size and efficiency. The size of your furnace is determined by the heat loss of your house. A qualified contractor should supply a heat loss calculation.
Natural gas furnaces are rated by their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). All new furnaces should have a label on the cabinet indicating the AFUE. The high efficiency, 90 to 97 per cent AFUE, is achieved through the addition of a secondary heat exchanger that recovers an additional 10 to 17 per cent of the heat produced by the burning gas. The cooler exhaust gases are vented through a wall instead of up a chimney.
- Energy Efficiency Tips
- Have a qualified contractor inspect the furnace operation for optimum performance annually.
- Clean the furnace filter monthly during the winter and replace every three months.
- Keep all supply and return air vents free from obstacles for unrestricted airflow.
Hot Water Heating
In Alberta, virtually all residential hot water heaters consist of a storage tank, heated with natural gas, ignited by a pilot light, which burns continuously.
The two most important energy use factors are proper sizing and efficiency. Sizing requirements depend on hot water demand, which is directly dependent on the number of users and the recovery rate of the heater being considered. A medium to large home with four people should be satisfied with 180-litre tank.
- Energy Efficiency Tips
- Install pipe insulation on all hot water pipes leading out of the hot water heater to decrease heat loss.
- Check hot water temperature at a tap by placing a thermometer under running hot water. If greater than 50° C, reduce hot water set temperature to suit user needs.
- For additional information on natural gas saving opportunities, go to the residential section.
