Image by Daniel X. O’Neil CC BY 2.0 Flickr
Do you know that you can reduce your energy bills as much as 50% by just making sure your HVAC is running optimally? Here are a few tips that can help you get that much savings the whole year-round.
Common Problems of Central AC Units
Apart from the fact that AC units use a lot of electricity, another big reason why you get high electric bills is that your HVAC is operating inefficiently. That is usually caused by the following issues:
- Bad or poor installation
- Old system
- Lack of maintenance
- Low refrigerant
- Failing capacitors, motors, and other parts
- Duct leaks
- Dirty filters
The following tips will help you figure out how to reduce energy bills. Note that some issues that you may encounter will require help from HVAC professionals.
Do an Energy Audit
You should invest money and time to perform an energy audit. You can also hire professionals to do it for your home or business. This audit will help you see where energy is being wasted.
An energy audit will help you increase your HVACs overall efficiency.
Program Your Thermostat
A programmable thermostat ensures that your HVAC system can maintain stable temperatures in the most efficient way. Your thermostat should be programmed according to your needs.
It can also be programmed to shut off when no one is home. Let smart technology help you save dollars.
Your thermostat schedule should be timely so as not to waste energy. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat in your home then you should install one.
You should also be smart when you program the thermostat settings. There’s no need to set it to the coolest temperature in the winter and of course, you don’t want to turn it down during summer.
They may seem like no brainers but these small and simple steps can save you money. The US Department of Energy recommends that we should set the thermostat back 10 to 15 for about 8 hours each day can save you as much as 15% of your energy bills each year.
Perform Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance ensures that every part of your HVAC system is running optimally. This includes cleaning up clogged drains, dirty filters, buildup, and dust.
When your HVAC system is clogged or bogged down, it will use more electricity and cost you more money.
Insulate
Insulation also helps keep the heat inside the house. A well-insulated space makes the HVAC system operate more efficiently. One of the first places in the house to insulate is the attic.
If you need help figuring out how to insulate your home then consult a professional energy auditor for expert guidance.
Seal
Drafts make imbalances in the room or home and these changes in temperature will tax your HVAC system. Sometimes by simply just sealing areas where the air escapes can save you a good amount of money.
To ensure that you are sealing your home or office in an efficient and safe way, you may want to hire professional contractors to this for you. They can use state of the art techniques and tools to find where the air is getting in.
Turn Fans Off When You’re Not Home
Remember that electric fans or ceiling fans aren’t ACs. They don’t make the air inside the house cooler. The just circulate the air and that is how they make you feel comfortable and cool.
Leaving them on when you’re out of the house just wastes energy. Since no one’s there that needs to feel comfy then turns the fan off every time you leave the house.
Keep the Heat Out in Summer
Summers are naturally hot and you want to keep a lot of that out if you want to reduce energy bills. You don’t want your air conditioner to do all the work of keeping your home cool during these hot months.
The good news is that there are things that you can do. For instance, you can use drapes, shades, and blinds to keep the excess sunlight and heat out of the house.
Of course, you need to pull the curtains and pull up the blinds during cooler months so as to let more sunlight in. And yes you need to close them at night to create some extra insulation for your room.
Change Your Air Filters
Take note of the scheduled filter replacement. It is different for each system and appliance. Some may need to be replaced every 30 days while others can stay in service for 90 days.
However, regardless of the schedule, you should always check your filters at least once a month. If the dirt build-up is already too much, then you should replace or clean up the filters.
Note that some filters can be cleaned several times before a replacement is warranted. But there are systems where this is not possible so you just have to replace the filters as needed or as scheduled.
Make sure to follow the instructions provided by the filter or furnace manufacturer.
Use Heat Producing Appliances at Night
There are certain appliances like your washing machine and dishwasher that produce a lot of heat. It doesn’t make sense to use them during a hot day since they will only make the AC work harder.
Use them at night when the temperature goes down so that your HVAC doesn’t need to work harder to keep the house warm. You already have them to help keep your house warm while you’re getting chores done.
It’s Time to Upgrade
Is your HVAC energy efficient? Is it on par with today’s standards? If your HVAC system has been around for more than a decade then it might be in your best interest to upgrade.
Not only are you getting a more efficient and better system, but you are also saving up a lot of money in bills that way. Experts estimate that a new HVAC system tends to pay for itself in a short while.
Need Expert Advice?
So you’ve done all you can but you still need help on how to reduce energy bills and keep your HVAC running efficiently. If you’re in Frisco TX and nearby areas, then Air Repair Pros can be a big help.
Call today for a FREE consultation on how you can save on energy bills.
