Effectively Use Your Heating and Air Conditioning
Most of us use heating and air conditioning to moderate the temperature of our homes, but not everyone uses their HVAC system efficiently. Using these few tips can drastically decrease your energy bill and ensure your home is being effectively and evenly heated and cooled.
1. Use An Energy Efficient Model
To decrease our carbon footprint, most home appliances now come in energy efficient models. These usually come with government incentives like rebates or tax deductions to encourage consumers to be more energy conscious. These newer machines take less energy to produce the same, if not better, results than your old heating and air conditioning unit. Since they use advanced technology to use less energy, making this one change can significantly lower your utility bill.
2. Adjust Your Thermostat
Leaving your thermostat set to the same temperature year round guarantees you are paying more on your electricity bill than you need to. In the summer your thermostat should be set at 78 degrees or higher for cooling and in the winter your thermostat should be set at 68 degrees or lower for heating. A decrease of five degrees in the winter or increase of five degrees the summer can use up to 40% more energy. The closer your thermostat is set to the actual temperature outside, the less energy you’ll use and the lower your energy bill will be.
If you frequently leave your thermostat on and set to one temperature, you might consider investing in a smart thermostat. Not only can they sync to your smart device so you can mobily adjust temperature but as you manually set the temperature, it learns your heating and cooling patterns. After a few weeks your thermostat will be able to regulate the temperature of your home without you, increasing your energy efficiency.
Most importantly, turn the thermostat off when you aren’t home and turn it back on when you return.
3. Change The Filter Regularly
Dust and other particles can collect on the filter of your heating and air conditioning unit. Not only can this become a fire hazard, but it decreases the efficiency of your HVAC. As the filter collects particles less and less air passes through, until you replace the filter. As less air passes through, your heating and air conditioning has to work harder to produce the same results. Changing the filter at least four times a year can help your heating and air conditioning function properly.
4. Seal Your Heating And Air Conditioning Ducts
20% of air is lost through leaks and poorly conducted ducts throughout your home, increasing your energy bill. By sealing your ducts, you can increase the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system as more air will be distributed more evenly throughout the home, reducing if not eliminating unusually cool or warm spots.
5. Don’t Obstruct Your Vents With Furniture
The easiest way to increase the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning is by checking your vents. If they’re covered with curtains or furniture they aren’t being allowed to properly operate. Clear the space in front of your vents to allow proper airflow and temperature regulation.
Use A Professional To Maintain Your Heating and Air Conditioning
DIY solutions can provide a temporary fix, but to ensure your heating and air conditioning system is properly functioning you should call an HVAC specialist. They’ll be able to seal ducts, stop leaks, and fix cracks that will help your heating and air conditioning system function better. This means during those hot summer months you can use less AC and still enjoy the chill of a cooled home. Have your HVAC system inspected, summer is coming.
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