Simple and Easy Tips to Improve HVAC Efficiency

Simple and Easy Tips to Improve HVAC Efficiency

Make sure your home is sealed

• A cracked window or door will allow cold or hot air to seep into the house, this in turn will make your unit work harder than it should. If you want to keep a window open on a cool day, just make sure your unit isn’t running to avoid inefficiency and a high electric bill. Another way to reduce costs is to check your insulation in the walls and attic. A few other places you may have not considered insulating are windows, pipes, ducts and outlets. The amount of space that is insulated, the better. The capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow is called an R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

Stay on top of maintenance

• Energy efficiency is a result of a well-maintained HVAC system. Make seasonal appointments or ask your technician when to have your unit inspected based on your usage. However, it’s recommended to maintain your unit at the beginning and end of every season. Attaining a maintenance plan helps you save money on costly repairs and protects your home or facilities from unexpected air conditioning and heating issues. Don’t make the making of waiting until the last minute and schedule your tune-ups as soon as possible.

Frequently change your air filter

• During the months of heavy use, make sure to check or change your filter. A filter that hasn’t been changed, typically more than three months, may slow down the air flow in your home or business. Further, as a result of an unchanged filter, dust can quickly build up, leading to system failure and costly maintenance. Replacing a filter, isn’t as difficult as you may think. Just consult a technician or a manual if it’s your first time and set a reminder every month or so.

 The sun is your friend

• In the winter months, open all your blinds and curtains. Letting the rays of the sun in a house will heat the indoors and reduce the cost of your electric bill. In the summer however, the sun isn’t so much your friend when you’re inside trying to stay cool. Invest in blinds, black out curtains, or awnings to keep your home well insulated and cool.

Applying these tips and keeping them in mind will ultimately result in a more efficient unit, saving you money. It’s simpler than you think. J