Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home can get expensive fast.
Thankfully you don’t have to spend a fortune on a new heating and cooling system to see real savings.
By taking a few simple steps you can lower your air conditioning costs considerably.
Use these seven tips to learn how you can save money while keeping your home comfortable.
1. Improve Your Insulation
When building a home make sure you invest in high-quality insulation. Keeping your temperature in and the outside out is one of the best ways to save money.
You can also improve the insulation of your existing home. Check for airflow, hot spots, or other leaky areas and add or replace the insulation.
2. Check For Poorly Fitted Doors and Windows
Cracks, crevices, and gaps allow a lot of air to get through. Check your door and window frames for warping from water damage or other flow points.
Having them adjusted to be airtight can greatly reduce your temperature loss.
3. Watch Your Fan Usage
If you’re cooking it’s standard practice to run a vent to remove smells and steam. You should definitely think about when it’s necessary to do this.
Every time you turn on a fan or vent you pull conditioned air out of your home. Your heating and cooling expenses will go up if you do so too long or too frequently.
4. Use Your Thermostat Sparingly
Every time you change your thermostat it takes energy to adjust the temperature. Try to maintain a baseline temperature level throughout the day to avoid this.
A great way to do this is to install a new smart thermostat. They allow you to program different temperature levels throughout the day.
5. Upkeep Your Heating and Cooling System
Many people don’t consider the yearly maintenance of their HVAC system. Dirty vents, poorly maintained parts, and clogged filters can really reduce its efficiency.
The most important step you can take is to regularly change out your filter. Not only does this improve airflow, but it also makes the air cleaner. You should also have your A/C system inspected and potentially repaired on an annual basis.
6. Keep Natural HVAC in Mind
How you use your windows, shutters, and curtains affects heat transfer. In the summer it’s important to keep the sun out and the cool in.
During the winter months, the opposite is true. Natural sunlight is a great way to warm up your house for free.
7. Upgrade When Appropriate
One of the worst mistakes to make with heating and cooling systems is keeping old equipment too long. An antiquated or worn out system will cost much more than a new one.
You can often see enough savings from lowered energy bills to offset the initial cost. This is especially true with newer single room systems. These allow you to independently control the temperature within different rooms of your home.
Know When To Hire a Professional
Some heating and cooling system issues shouldn’t be done DIY. If you’re looking at substantial repairs or replacement it’s a good idea to bring in a licensed professional.
If you want to repair or upgrade your HVAC system contact us now to schedule a risk-free appointment.