Heating and cooling your residence is likely the biggest part of your energy bills. Unfortunately, for a number of different reasons, your HVAC system is not likely to be 100% efficient, which means there can be a waste of the energy used for heating and cooling your residence. Let’s examine a few ways that you can reduce the amount of energy your HVAC system wastes:
Control the Thermostat
The thermostat controls heating and cooling in your home. An easy way to save energy is to turn down the thermostat at night or when the home is unoccupied. Digital thermostats are more accurate than analog thermostats, and a few degrees can save more energy over the long run. Keep heat-producing components away from the thermostats, as they fool the sensors into believing the room is warmer than it is, which causes the system to run longer than is needed.
Maintain a Properly Functioning HVAC System
An outdated or improperly maintained HVAC system draws and wastes far more energy than a newer system. An old HVAC unit should be replaced with a newer high-efficiency Energy Star unit, which can reduce your energy consumption by as much as 40%.
Make sure that a new unit is the right size for your home. If it’s too small, it will struggle to condition your home’s air, running constantly to keep up. If it’s too large, your home cools too fast, with frequent on-off switching and a lack of humidity control. You should replace the air filter on a regular schedule that depends on the use of the system, as dirty filters cause the system to work harder. A good idea is to have an HVAC maintenance plan to ensure that it operates efficiently.
Make Use of the Sun
Although you cannot control the sun, you can control how and when it enters your home. In the spring and summer months, the sun can heat your home more, so open the blinds and lower the thermostat when the heat is needed and close them when it is not. A few other tips include installing thermal liners in curtains to reflect the heat. Trees and shrubs produce a cooling effect, so use that to your advantage when possible. Lighter colors will also tend to keep the home cooler, as they reflect light and heat.
Divide Your Home Into Zones
There is no need to keep the entire building at the same temperature. Why heat or cool the attic or the basement if it is unoccupied? Many modern central air systems will include automated zone controls. Some home systems use two or three different AC units to cool different areas. Separate thermostats in separate rooms or zones can be adjusted accordingly.
Reduce the Humidity
You can also save on energy consumption by reducing the humidity in your home. A dehumidifier removes water from the air when the temperature increases. With less water in the air, you can use lower temperatures and feel more comfortable. Other simple tips are to ensure that there a tight seals around the doors and windows to avoid losing conditioned air or allowing outside air to come in.
Following these easy to follow tips are just a handful of ways you can reduce wasting energy from your HVAC system. The best piece of advice we can give you is to schedule regular maintenance visits to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
