Have you noticed that your energy bills are getting out of hand? The culprit is most likely your heating and air conditioning system, which tends to consume anywhere between 25% and 50% of your home’s energy demand. The good news is you can make improvements to your energy bill just by improving the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Routine Filter Replacement
Probably the simplest yet effective ways to increase the efficiency of your HVAC system is swapping out the air filter. Dirt, dust, and other airborne contaminants clog up the filter with regular use, which impacts airflow. If you have a large home that runs AC or heater almost-constantly, you should be changing the air filter once a month. Otherwise, once every three or four months should suffice.
Maintenance Plans Prevent Big Problems
Sign up for a maintenance plan with a local HVAC company to get your air conditioner and heater serviced at least once a year. Once again, bigger households should get maintenance work done more often. Tune-ups for your HVAC system are like a tune-up for your car: It keeps the whole thing running smoothly without needing to drop big expenses on repairs and replacements. Most of the time, your HVAC technician can identify and fix small issues before they get worse, all thanks to routine maintenance.
Smart Thermostats Do More
Now that we are well into the 21st century, smart technology is on every shelf – and it should be in every home. You can get a smart thermostat that adjusts your heating and cooling system subtly throughout the day to balance a comfortable temperature with energy efficiency. Some smart thermostats can be adjusted from an app on your phone, too. What many people do is turn off or minimize the HVAC system’s use when they are at work before using the phone app to adjust it to a better temperature while they are on the way home.
Duct Sealing to Finish It Off
The airducts of your HVAC system are often forgotten – but they shouldn’t be! If there are cracks or gaps in the ducts, air literally leaks out instead of reaching its intended destination, tanking your system’s overall efficiency and cranking up costs. Duct sealing is a unique service offered by experienced HVAC service companies. With advanced industry equipment, they can thoroughly inspect and seal up all your home’s ducts.
You can buy duct sealants from home improvement stores and attempt to seal up the gaps yourself. However, this tends to only be a minor fix, as you will not likely be able to reach the vast majority of cracks and damage in your ventilation system. To make certain it is done right, get a professional to help.
Install ENERGY STAR
Another great way you can improve efficiency of your HVAC system is install a new one. Older systems that have been in use for at least 10 years can only do so much with tune-ups and repairs. You may do better by installing a new system, such as one that is ENERGY STAR rated and approved. ENERGY STAR equipment is renowned for doing more with less energy consumption.
Call Earnhardt Heating & Cooling in High Point
If you have more questions about how to improve your home HVAC system’s efficiency, call (336) 814-2613 and speak with our professionals from Earnhardt Heating & Cooling. For decades, our NATE Certified technicians have been helping the people of High Point stay comfortable in their own homes with our expert repair, installation, and maintenance services. See what we can do for you by contacting us now.