With today’s high energy prices, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of fuel and energy consumption, finding ways to save energy may as well become our new national pastime. At Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning, we have some tips for how you can save energy in your Twin Cities home — without sacrificing comfort — by improving the efficiency of your HVAC system.
- Replace your air filter regularly. A dirty air filter can essentially clog up your HVAC system, forcing your blower fan to work harder and longer to move enough air, and wasting energy in the process. The federal Energy Star program recommends checking your filter monthly, and changing it whenever it looks dirty.
- Get your HVAC system tuned up yearly. You wouldn’t expect your car to continue running smoothly year after year if you never changed the oil or fixed a flat tire. Why would you expect your furnace or A/C to run at peak efficiency if you never had it maintained?
- Seal your ducts. A typical Twin Cities home loses about 20 percent of the air that passes through its HVAC system via leaks in the air ducts. That 20 percent waste can be effectively eliminated by having your ducts professionally sealed.
- Switch to a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats automatically cut back on heating or air conditioning during hours when no one is at home, while still returning the house to a comfortable temperature before you walk back in the door.
- Replace your old furnace or air conditioner with new, high-efficiency models. There have been some significant improvements in heating and cooling efficiency in the past decade or so. Combined with the fact that equipment tends to lose efficiency as it ages, having your old units replaced now could lead to substantial energy savings.
- Make sure your equipment is properly installed. High-efficiency equipment does you little good if it is not properly sized and installed.
The professionals at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning have been helping our Twin Cities neighbors keep comfortable and save energy, since 1974. Contact usto learn how we can help you get your home’s HVAC system running more smoothly and efficiently.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about boosting your efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!