A HVAC system that’s taken care of can use fewer resources than one that is not. Regularly having your HVAC system serviced can improve performance and help save you money in energy costs. Thankfully, there’s even more you can do to increase your house’s energy efficiency. Here are some painless things you can do take to improve your Crystal and Twin Cities home.
- Seal any leaks around your windows and doors. Even miniscule breaches 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 at night, turn off your air conditioning and open the windows. After you get up in the morning, shut the windows and your curtains or blinds to catch the cooler air and to prevent heat gain through the windows.
- Insulate your walls and attic. Insulation is normally equated with keeping your home comfortable in the colder months, but it also helps you out in the summer. Heat is constantly working toward cooler spaces—like your home. Sufficient insulation stops heat from moving through your attic and walls.
- Have your ducts cleaned. Air moves easier through your home when your ducts are clear. That makes your air conditioner’s job less complicated.
- Check to see your ducts are correctly sealed to prevent air leaks and insulate them if necessary. You’re losing valuable heated or cooled air if your ducts have leaks. Correctly sealing and insulating ducts is even more crucial if they are in the attic, a vented crawlspace or any other unconditioned area.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats make managing your home comfort and efficiency easy. You can automatically move your temperature when you’re not at home or when you’re sleeping while avoiding discomfort because your home’s temperature will get back to normal when needed.
- If you choose not to use a programmable thermostat, avoid setting your thermostat at a chillier setting when you turn on your air conditioner. You might think it will cool your home faster, 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 low, 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% annually on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7° to 10°F from its usual 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 changing your comfort.
- Limit heat-generating appliances near your thermostat. If you’re leaving lamps, tvs or other heat generating appliances close to your thermostat, it can cause your air conditioner to run for an extended time 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 GV Heating & Air for an evaluation. It could be time to replace it with ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment that can reduce your annual energy bill by more than $115, according to energystar.gov.
If you’re interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency, call GV Heating & Air at 763-535-2000. Our experts 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.