When almost half of your energy expenses go toward heating and cooling, making educated decisions about your HVAC system can have a direct effect on your utility bills. These four steps can help increase your HVAC system’s efficiency while saving you money.
Regularly Change Air Filters
Dirty air filters slow airflow, making your system work harder at keeping your home warm or cool. Dirt and dust buildup in your system can lead to costly repairs and/or early system failure. At a minimum, your filter should be changed every three months. Once a month is better.
Schedule Regular Tune-ups
Regular tune-ups of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. While you can do some preventive maintenance yourself, such as changing the filter, other maintenance should be done by your HVAC-system contractor or technician. At the very least, you should have your heating system serviced in the fall and your cooling system serviced in the spring. Energy Star has more information on what you and your contractor/technician should do to keep your system in tip-top shape.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
If you and your family members spend most of the day away at work or school, a programmable thermostat can be a major money saver. Set the thermostat at 68 in the morning, before you leave home, and have it go down to 60 while you’re away. Program it to return to 68 degrees shortly before you return home and to go down to 60 again while you’re sleeping. This is just one way you can use a programmable thermostat.
Seal Heating and Cooling Ducts
In the average home, a percentage of the air moving through the ducts is lost because of bad connections, holes and leaks. Here are a few simple do-it-yourself remedies.
- Seal air leaks with mastic sealant or metal tape. Avoid duct tape, because it does not last long.
- Insulate ducts you have access to in the attic, crawlspace, basement and garage.
- Make sure vents and ducts are well sealed where they meet any floors, walls or ceilings.
For more information on how you can improve your HVAC system efficiency, contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re here to help you with all of your heating and cooling needs.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about system 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!