Top 10 Energy Saving Tips For Your HVAC System
At H.T.R. Mechanical, LLC., we know that saving energy with your HVAC system means not only playing a part in helping the environment but also saving money – something all of us are interested in! For those living in Bucks County, PA, the climate can be filled with drastic swings in temperature, so it’s important to keep this in mind and take steps to preserve your HVAC system. By implementing simple tips that we include below, you’ll be able work towards reducing your energy costs. Not only will these measures help ensure that your home stays comfortable year-round but you’ll also be taking an active role in conserving energy—helping to protect our valuable resources for future generations.
Save On Energy Costs With These Tips!
1. Clean Your Air Filters
Cleaning your home's air filter regularly is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can do to reduce energy costs and keep your HVAC systems running smoothly. Air filters are designed to capture dust, dirt and other particles that would otherwise be recirculated in the air throughout your home, but when they become clogged with debris, airflow is limited and the system has to work harder to circulate air. This increases strain on the system, causing it to use more energy which can raise costs significantly. Having a clean air filter makes a huge difference in overall efficiency, decreasing utility bills over time. Taking a few minutes each month to vacuum or replace your air filter will save you money in the long run.
2. Maintain Your System Regularly
Regular maintenance for your HVAC system is essential for keeping your energy bills low. Doing routine checks and basic servicing help ensure that all the components are running smoothly and efficiently. This, in turn, can drastically reduce your energy consumption and save you money over time. Additionally, performing regular maintenance helps to identify any problems with the system before they become more serious or expensive to fix. Taking preventive measures can prevent potential breakdowns which could lead to having to replace it altogether, thereby giving you a greater return on your investment. So not only should maintaining your HVAC system be considered beneficial for cost savings but also an important part of taking care of your home and its systems.
3. Introduce Automation/Programable Thermostats
Automation and programmable thermostats are becoming increasingly popular for electric and air heating systems, and for good reason. Automated thermostats allow the temperature to be reduced during periods when there is no activity in the house - meaning energy costs can be significantly reduced throughout the day. In addition, programmable thermostats can gradually increase or decrease temperatures over an extended period of time, making it easier to reduce your HVAC system’s energy footprint while still maintaining a comfortable living environment. Installing one is an easy way to help reduce energy costs and environmentally-friendly too!
4. Replace/Fix/Upgrade Older Systems
An HVAC system that is more than 10 years old should be considered for replacement. Newer HVAC systems are professionally designed, offering increased efficiency that can help reduce energy costs significantly. Replacing or even upgrading an older system can have a noticeable effect not just on energy bills, but also the overall comfort and air quality of your home. Furthermore, repairing a unit with outdated technology may end up being costlier than acquiring a new one because the newest models come with higher-efficiency applications and tools that can mitigate energy waste. A newer model will provide functionality while ensuring better maintenance of your overall indoor environment, both contributing to additional savings in energy expenses over time. If you are interested in upgrading your HVAC system, contact us today for our HVAC Installation Services.
5. Proper Thermostat Temperature
Managing the temperatures of your HVAC system can make a huge difference in energy costs by helping to efficiently cool and heat your home. In winter, it is recommended you keep your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit while in summer, aim for 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so will help keep your heating and cooling bill down without sacrificing comfort. It is also important to remember to switch over to a programmable thermostat if you are still using an outdated manual one since this further helps to maintain temperature control for an optimal cost savings. With the proper thermostat temperature for winter and summer, you'll be able to confidently enjoy comfortable climate control all year round!
6. Check For Obstructions
Keeping your HVAC system in good condition is essential to reduce your energy costs. One of the key tasks to maintaining peak efficiency of your system is to check and clear any debris, overgrowth, or obstructions that can affect its performance. This could include clearing any foliage around outdoor units and making sure they have adequate airflow; keeping any ducts free from clogs and reducing the buildup of dust and particles within the system; and ensuring air intakes are not obstructed by furniture, window coverings or other materials which could trap hot or cold air around the unit. Checking these obstructions regularly will help ensure your system works as efficiently as possible, allowing it to run for less time at a lower cost overall.
7. Upgrade or Increase Insulation
There are many factors to consider when upgrading or replacing your residential HVAC system, not least of which is energy cost. Often overlooked, however, is the impact that proper insulation can make in this regard. By ensuring that your home has adequate insulation (and bringing it up to current codes if necessary), you can make a significant difference in reducing the amount of energy used by an air conditioning system to maintain comfortable temperatures. This equates to lower bills and more money in your pocket at the end of the month, which is a win-win for any homeowner! So don't forget to evaluate your existing insulation levels when planning your next upgrade or replacement. It could be the key to a more efficient and cost-effective cooling system in your home.
8. Use Ceiling or Box Fans
Using ceiling or box fans is an effective way to maintain comfortable temperatures in your home and save energy costs, particularly when we transition into the warmer months of summer. Ceiling fans are especially useful for cooling a room as they naturally cool you through the process of convection - hot air rises, allowing cooler air to be circulated throughout underneath it. Additionally, box fans can be used to draw out warm air from your home while introducing fresh outside air in its place; resulting in less of a strain on your HVAC system and lower energy costs over time. To get the most savings out of using fans, install them correctly and ensure you turn them off when no one is in the room.
9. Implement Energy Saving Curtains
Installing energy efficient curtains along the windows of your home can help you make great strides when it comes to reducing the energy costs associated with heating and cooling. Such curtains are designed to block out drafts, which helps keep heated air inside during colder months and blocks solar influence from entering your home during hotter months. In this way, your HVAC system does not have to work as hard to achieve the desired indoor temperature, meaning that your utility bills can be cut notably by matching such curtains with proper window insulation. Additionally, implementing such curtains also helps in improving the overall comfort level of the indoors while simultaneously preserving available energy resources.
10. Replace Weather Stripping and seals
Weather stripping and seals are small details that can make a big difference in terms of energy costs associated with your HVAC system. When doors and windows aren’t properly sealed, it can result in warm air leaking out, which means your system has to work harder to make up for the increase in heat loss. This translates into higher energy bills. To help ensure that your home retains comfortable temperatures efficiently, inspect the rubber weather stripping and seals around windows and doors for any signs of wear and tear. Replacing these pieces of insulation is an easy way to improve the overall effectiveness of your HVAC system resulting in larger savings!
We hope you found these tips useful. If you are located in Bucks or Montgomery County, PA and are in need of any HVAC Services – do not hesitate to reach out to your local HVAC Professionals here at H.T.R. Mechanical LLC.