Homeowners are always finding ways to cut costs on a month-to-month basis, and a great place to start is with your energy bill. Your HVAC contains one of the most commonly overlooked solutions. By adopting some smart maintenance habits, you can enjoy comfort through the year without energy waste or spending money you don’t have to. Here’s a few tips to drop your energy bill this season.
Changing Filters Regularly
Dirty air filters make it much harder for your HVAC to circulate air, which vastly increases energy consumption. Most professionals recommend that filters be checked every month and replaced at a minimum of every three months, or even more often if you have pets or allergies. A clean filter improves the airflow and allows your system to run more efficiently and lowers your energy costs.
Pre-Season System Tune-Up
By scheduling regular HVAC tune-ups during spring and fall, you can guarantee that it operates at its best, right when it’s most needed. Technicians perform tune-ups by checking coils, motors, and refrigerant levels and can fix minor issues before they become very expensive to fix. A properly maintained system runs more efficiently and longer, maximizing your investment.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are great because you can set and forget them, all while they save energy for you. By sensing your schedule and adjusting the temperature automatically, it uses less energy when nobody’s home. Others even let you change settings with a smartphone. According to the US Department of Energy, a smart thermostat could save up to 10% on heating and cooling annually which is great for homeowners and commercial properties alike.
Caulk and Insulate Ductwork
Leaking ductwork could be causing massive energy losses by letting the air out of the system, heated or cooled, before it even reaches your living areas. So, it would be a good idea to get them checked for leaks. Another thing you can do is insulate the ducts that are in any unconditioned spaces, like attics and basements, to maintain temperatures and reduce the load on the HVAC system.
Improved Ventilation
Clogged vents and registers reduce airflow, forcing your system to work much harder to cool or heat your home. Take just a few moments and walk through the house to make sure that furniture, curtains, or anything else isn’t blocking the vents. Also, put those ceiling fans to good use! Your ceiling fan can circulate the air and give your HVAC system a break on extremely hot summer days.
Energy Consumption Monitoring
It’s really easy nowadays to track how much energy you’re using straight from your mobile devices. You can even check out trends on your app that’s connected to your HVAC system and see when you have higher usage so you can adjust your system as needed. By continually tracking your energy use, you can maximize your savings while keeping your home comfy.
Final Thoughts
Constant HVAC maintenance saves money due to reduced consumption, it cuts your carbon footprint, and extends the life of your system. If you take some of these suggestions and apply them to your home system you can really cut down on your heating and cooling expenses all without sacrificing your comfort. If you’re not sure where to start, contact Greeley CO HVAC for a consultation. They can help assess your system and recommend the best solutions tailored to your needs. Your wallet, and the Earth, will appreciate it!
