A HVAC system that’s taken care of can use lower energy amounts than one that is not. Regularly having your HVAC system serviced can improve efficiency and help save you money in energy costs. Thankfully, there’s even more you can do to better your property’s energy efficiency. Here are some simple steps you can take to improve your Marshalltown home.
- Seal any leaks around your windows and doors. Even miniscule cracks can let heat or cool air disappear from your house. Add caulk or weatherstripping wherever you find leaks.
- Use your windows. If it’s cooler when the sun goes down, turn off your your HVAC system and open the windows. After you get up in the morning, shut the windows and your curtains or blinds to keep the cooler air in and to avoid heat gain through the windows.
- Insulate your walls and attic. Insulation is normally associated with keeping your home warm in the winter, but it also helps you out in the summer. Heat is constantly seeking cooler places—like your rooms. Sufficient insulation stops heat from passing through your attic and walls.
- Have your ducts cleaned. Air flows easier through your home when your ducts are uncluttered. That makes your air conditioner’s job easier.
- Make sure your ducts are properly sealed to block air leaks and insulate them if needed. You’re losing valuable heated or cooled air if your ducts have leaks. Correctly sealing and insulating ducts is even more important if they are in the attic, a vented crawlspace or any other unconditioned room.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats make managing your home comfort and efficiency pretty much effortless. You can automatically adjust your temperature when you’re out and about or when you’re sleeping while avoiding discomfort because your home’s temperature will return to normal when needed.
- If you choose not to use a programmable thermostat, avoid setting your thermostat at a lower-than-usual setting when you turn on your air conditioner. It might seem it will cool your home at a faster rate, but the time it takes to cool won’t be impacted. You’ll end up costing yourself more in energy.
- Make your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. To help keep your cooling bill inexpensive, make sure the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures is as little as possible. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% each year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7° to 10°F from its normal setting for eight hours a day. Using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner can let you raise your thermostat a little more. You can raise your setting by about 4°F without impacting your comfort.
- Limit heat-generating appliances near your thermostat. If you’re leaving lamps, tvs or other heat generating appliances near your thermostat, it can cause your air conditioner to run for too long because it senses heat from these appliances and thinks your home needs cooling.
- Invest in new, energy-efficient equipment. If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping up with your home-comfort needs, call B & G HVAC for an evaluation. It could be time to replace it with ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment that can lower your annual energy bill by more than $115, according to energystar.gov.
If you’re interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency, call B & G HVAC at 641-316-3360. Our pros can help you think about solutions, energy-efficient equipment or schedule a regular maintenance appointment. You can also schedule your appointment online using our online scheduler.