No matter where you live, energy bills seem to keep getting higher. The last thing you want to do is send a huge chunk of your paycheck to energy bills when trying to stay comfortable inside your home. Your HVAC system is probably the main source of the high energy bills.
If you can put effort into HVAC efficiency, you’ll likely see a decrease in your energy bills without compromising on comfort. The good news is that you can do a few things to have an energy-efficient HVAC system and save money.
Regular Maintenance
One of the best things you can do for your HVAC system is to schedule regular maintenance. Routine maintenance will help ensure that every system component works as it should, allowing it to work as efficiently as possible.
When your HVAC system runs smoothly, it won’t have to work as hard to heat or cool your home. Hiring a local contractor to handle the maintenance will help catch potential issues before they become a problem and allow them to quickly solve any problems before you start seeing a decrease in efficiency.
Use Fans
If you have ceiling fans, you’ll want to use them. If you don’t, any other smaller fan will work, too. Fans are a cost-effective way to keep cool air moving through your home. You can set your thermostat to a slightly higher temperature without getting too warm. This will take a lot of strain off your HVAC system so it can run more efficiently.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are another great way to save money on energy bills. These thermostats are a great piece of technology that allows you to program your HVAC to certain temperatures at specific times of day. Some even come with smartphone apps, so you can adjust them on the go.
For example, when you go to work every day, you can have your HVAC at a higher temperature for those hours and then a cooler temperature once you arrive home, or vice versa, depending on the time of year. This will save you a lot of money on your energy bills because you won’t have to change the temperature whenever you need to leave the house.
Properly Seal and Insulate the Ductwork
Any leaks in your ductwork will make your HVAC system work harder, raising your bills. Properly sealing all your windows, doors, and ductwork will help heat and cool your home.
When air isn’t escaping your home through leaks, it will work more efficiently while still keeping the temperature you want it to be. You can seal cracks with duct tape or another sealant, but calling in the professionals to take a look will ensure you don’t miss any leaks.
Change Your Air Filters
Many ways to improve your HVAC efficiency require some assistance from professionals, but not changing the air filters. This task can easily be forgotten due to all the other things you have going on in your personal and professional life, but you’ll want to try and remember to change the filters.
How often you need to change the filters will depend on your type of filters, but if they’re clogged or dirty, it’s time to change them. The cleaner your air filters, the better your HVAC will perform.
Invest in an Energy Efficient HVAC System
Lastly, investing in an energy-efficient HVAC system will show you the most energy savings. This isn’t the easiest change to make, but if you can, it’s worth it. This is especially important if your system is over 10-15 years old. Newer HVAC systems naturally run better than older ones, and many nowadays are crafted with energy efficiency in mind.
Most modern HVAC systems come with a higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, so you can expect a lot of energy savings with more comfortable temperatures than with an older or less efficient system.
An efficient HVAC system is the best way to stay comfortable in your home throughout the year and avoid spending every dollar you earn on energy bills. You’ll hopefully see lower bills by scheduling routine maintenance, changing your air filters, and taking advantage of fans.
If you need help getting your HVAC to run efficiently, maintenance, or a new HVAC system, Schwantes Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help reduce your energy bills and keep your HVAC running efficiently.
