How to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your HVAC Equipment

Almost half of the energy your home uses is gobbled up by your HVAC unit which explains why your utility bills are likely much higher in the hottest and coldest months of the year. Homeowners are always looking for ways to save money and with our 4 simple tips you can improve the energy efficiency of your home’s HVAC unit, save money on your utilities, and help the environment all at once.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

No one wants to come home to a hot or cold house which usually means you have to leave your air conditioner or heater on all day to make sure your house is comfortable when you get home. While this does the job it also means that you waste a lot of energy heating or cooling your home when no one is there.

Invest in a programmable thermostat to avoid wasting energy and only keep your house comfortable when you’re there to enjoy it. You can program a thermostat to keep your house at a higher or lower temperature depending on the season and have it bring the temperature back to a comfortable level before you get home.

Clean the Coils on Your Air Conditioning Unit

Checking your air conditioner’s coils is a quick and easy way to make sure that your unit is running as efficiently as possible. The fan in your A/C unit pulls warm air over the coils to cool it, but this also means that the unit can pull in sticks, leaves, and other debris.

Check your unit as least once a week in the warm months and remove any debris that you find. Keeping tree and other plants at least 2 feet away from your unit is a great way to avoid future problems as well. For even more cleaning turn off the power to the unit and vacuum the fins with a soft bristle attachment or rinse the fins with water.

Check and Change your Air Filter Regularly

Clogged filters restrict the amount of air that can get through your system which makes it less efficient. Check your air filters for debris at least once a month and if you can’t see light through the filter then it’s time to change it. Most filters will last 60-90 days, but check them sooner to make sure you aren’t losing efficiency.

Replace Your Old HVAC Unit with a New Energy Efficient Model

This may not be quite as easy of a fix, but it can save you a lot of money over time. Homeowners are always looking for ways to save money and companies are responding with high efficiency appliances to help. Energy Star is really helpful when you are shopping for a new unit so you can be sure you’re getting the most efficient new air conditioner or furnace possible. It’s not recommended to make a DIY project out of installing a new unit, though. Improper installation could seriously damage the new unit so if your looking to upgrade call our team here at Filed under: energy efficiency