If you don't have a plan to save energy in your home, then you probably won't see a change for the better in your high energy bills. If you are interested in energy savings, your HVAC system may come to mind. Fortunately, there are more ways to save energy with your HVAC system than fiddling with temperature settings day and night. Consider these great tips!
TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR HVAC SYSTEM
Chances are your HVAC system is working too hard. Heat gain and loss due to inefficient and leaky windows contributes to higher HVAC energy usage. Also, airflow leaks and obstructions are well-known culprits for sky-high bills. Here's what you can do to save energy all year long:
- Window treatments:Layered drapes and solar screens reduce the load on your HVAC system by blocking heat gain and loss. A lighter load means less energy usage. You'll enjoy greater comfort, too!
- Removing obstructions:Keep interior doors to rooms in your home open. Check the outdoor unit on occasion to ensure there are no airflow obstructions at the side panels.
- Ducts:Use metal tape to seal loose duct connections. Make sure ducts outside the conditioned spaces of your home are insulated.
COOL AND HOT ENERGY SAVINGS
Scheduled maintenance for your A/C, heat pump, and furnace are essential to keep the systems running efficiently. However, those tasks are for your HVAC professional. Look for simpler ways to save energy with these tips:
- Filter:Are you changing your air filter regularly? Do you know how often it should be changed? Check the filter once a month during peak usage months. You can save up to 10 percent cooling and heating costs by performing this one simple task.
- Vents:Vacuum or wipe clean the air vents once a month.
- Coils:Use a foaming coil cleaner to clean away dirt buildup on the indoor and outdoor A/C unit and heat pump coils.
For more HVAC energy savings tips from the experts at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical, visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call today at (408) 868-5500.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater San Diego and San Marcos, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).