Energy expenses continue to rise as society becomes more dependent on electricity for powering homes and businesses. The biggest energy expense is heating and air conditioning, which accounts for 46% of an average homeowner’s energy bill.
Drastically reduce your energy expenses by discovering methods for enhancing your HVAC system.
Here are 10 practical tips for improving your HVAC system’s energy efficiency:
- Perform Regular Maintenance
Perform regular maintenance to preserve your HVAC system’s quality. Improve your unit’s lifetime by 48% by scheduling a yearly visit with an HVAC technician to inspect, clean, and service your system, whether it’s a ductless mini split or a different type of appliance. Heating and cooling maintenance involve checking the interior and exterior of each component to guarantee everything is functioning properly. Additionally, HVAC technicians clean and calibrate your thermostat.
Enhance your system’s efficiency and lifetime by completing HVAC maintenance.
- Change Air Filters
Change your HVAC’s air filter to improve energy efficiency. Filters trap dust, debris, and allergens leading to poor air quality, potential breakdowns, and overall decreased efficiency. Check your air filter regularly to prevent illness, damage, and energy waste. Timeframes for changing air filters depend on the needs of your home and family, generally ranging between 90 days and 6 months.
Ensure efficiency by changing your system’s air filters.
- Clean Duct Work
Clean your air ducts to create a cleaner, healthier environment. Dust, dander and other pollutants are pulled into air ducts, similarly to air filters, and circulated throughout your home. Contact an HVAC technician about every 3 to 5 years to regularly inspect and clean your air ducts by removing unwanted debris.
Improve your home’s airflow efficiency and quality by cleaning your ductwork.
- Weatherize Your Home
Weatherize your home to successfully maintain internal temperatures. Air easily enters and leaves your home through cracks and leaks, essentially wasting your heating and cooling efforts and money. Properly weatherize your home by adding insulation, especially in your attic, and using caulking or weather sealant, specifically around your windows and doors.
Save hundreds of dollars on heating and cooling by weatherizing your home.
- Use a Programmable Thermostat
Use a programmable thermostat to control your home’s temperature. Programmable thermostats allow you to create personalized settings for conserving energy during the day. Altering your thermostat to use less energy a few hours of the day, potentially while you’re at work or asleep, can save almost 15% on energy expenses every year.
Simplify your energy usage and save money by installing a programmable thermostat.
- Operate Appliances Wisely
Operate appliances wisely to avoid creating excess heat. Unchecked appliances release unnecessary heat and require your HVAC systems to work harder, which increases your heating and cooling expenses. Tips for using your appliances wisely include:
- Ovens: Use your oven less by avoiding early preheating, choosing smaller appliances, such as toaster ovens, or simply using your oven at cooler points during the day.
- Dryers: Use your dryer less by only running full loads, opting to air dry when possible, and operating during non-peak hours of heat.
Operate your appliances wisely to conserve energy and reduce HVAC expenses.
- Retrofit an Old System
Retrofit your old HVAC system to affordably improve energy efficiency. Restore well-maintained, large systems to reduce energy expenses by an average of 35% yearly. Retrofitting involves replacing parts, including replacing the compressor, adding condenser fan controls, adding demand-controlled ventilation, and adding air-side economizers.
Save money and enhance efficiency by retrofitting an old HVAC system.
- Upgrade Your HVAC System
Upgrade your HVAC system to immediately boost energy efficiency. New HVAC systems are expensive investments but excellent options for majorly changing your energy usage. Search for Energy Star models to guarantee better results.
Install a new HVAC system to drastically alter your home’s efficiency.
- Consider Renewable Energy
Consider renewable energy to sustainably power your HVAC system. Renewable energy refers to naturally replenished and inexhaustible resources converted into usable electricity, which benefits the environment and saves you money. A popular type of renewable energy for homeowners is solar power. Access the sun’s free energy by installing a solar power system on your property.
Create an environmentally-friendly home by using renewable energy to reduce energy expenses.
- Change Energy Providers
Change energy providers to instantly decrease energy bills. Deregulated energy markets allow customers to select energy providers based on rates, terms, and products, effectively saving you money every month.
Compare TX energy providers near you to find an affordable option.
Follow these 10 practical tips to successfully improve your HVAC system’s energy efficiency.
