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You collect your energy bill at the end of the month and suddenly wince. The monthly charges are through the roof, and you instantly suspect that HVAC unit. That winter must have been long.
Energy prices seem to be on the upward trajectory. You should be worried. Heating and cooling systems are notorious for draining your wallet. However, efficient practices can save you lots of money. The following are the ways that can make your HVAC system more efficient.
1. Maintenance Matters
Though it can be bothersome and time-consuming, proper maintenance can significantly cut down the energy consumption of your HVAC system.
It would be best if you opted for servicing at least twice a year. Neglect of periodical service can substantially lower the efficiency of your unit.
You should only enlist the services of experienced HVAC technicians to maintain your unit. These technicians should also be licensed.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Yes, a programmable thermostat can minimize your electric bills drastically. They mitigate the demand for heating and cooling placed on your HVAC unit. This thermostat will come in handy, especially during periods where the HVAC is left running for an extended period of time. The air conditioning unit can be automatically turned on or off, depending on whether you are at home.
3. Don’t Forget to Replace Air Filters
Precipitous increment in energy consumption might, at times, be a result of clogged up air filters. When the filters are blocked, the system has to work extra harder to let air through. To keep on operating, it will require more energy.
Filters should be replaced monthly when they appear dirty. Replacing them is straightforward, but if in doubt, you can hire a seasoned HVAC expert.
4. System Replacement
As with most appliances, HAVC units do also have a lifetime. A decrease in efficiency might indicate that the heydays of your system are long gone. You can read here some signs that indicate your unit needs replacement.
Therefore, hire a professional to conduct an energy audit on your system to gauge energy efficiency based on the age and condition of your unit. In some cases, you may end up getting surprised as you can make small fixes without investing a lot of cash on the new system.
In other cases, replacing HVAC units may require a huge investment, but the long-term benefits are mostly worth it. Newer systems tend to have a technical edge over old ones. They certainly can be more efficient and save you some cash.
For example, even an installation as low cost as an economizer alone can reduce the cost of the HVAC system by thirty percent. Economizer uses the outside air present around the pockets with lower temperatures and brings it inside your home. This will save a lot of money because your system then will not have to spend energy to decrease the temperature of air mechanically.
5. Ensure Proper Installation
Who might have guessed that proper installation matters? Your huge bills could be a result of poor installation of the HVAC. If the system is oversized, it could wear out and heighten energy costs. Therefore, make sure that you choose the HVAC system with the required capacity, and get it installed by the professionals.
6. Seal and Insulate Your Home
Even if your HVAC system is working efficiently, it still may not achieve the desired results if you do not insulate and seal your home properly. Moreover, it is reported that sealing your home properly can decrease the total cost of HVAC operations by twenty percent. Therefore, if you do not want your rooms to get unbearably cold or sweltering hot, then pay focus on sealing and insulating your home.
7. Seal Heating and Cooling Ducts
Sealing heating and cooling ducts is vital for the efficient operation of your HVAC system. But if you have a leak in your ducting, it can cause problems like humidity, poor temperature control, and the inability of the system to reach desired temperatures.
It is vital to ensure that all of the accessible vents and registers are sealed, but the better part of ducting is inaccessible, as most of it is hidden in the attic, basement, and walls. Hence, a proper seal joint must be assured at the time of installation to prevent future trouble.
8. Good Airflow
You can maintain the energy efficiency of your HVAC system by keeping it clean. Avoid exposure of the unit to debris, dust, mud, and also food spillage. You should also note that furniture and other household things block ducts and vents. Maintaining perfect airflow should enhance the efficiency of your HVAC unit.
Related:
7 House Rules That Can Save Us $7,000/Year
10 Expensive Things Worth Buying
6 Things Americans Do That I Don’t Get
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