Did you know that your home’s HVAC system drains more energy than any other system in the home? In fact, your home’s heating and cooling system accounts for approximately 44% of the utility bill. It’s a good thing that these systems are more efficient than they were years ago, but they still use a good chunk of your energy dollars. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to further reduce how much energy your system consumes.
Let’s get started.
Routine Maintenance
All those seasonal specials you see for annual HVAC tune-ups should not go ignored. Grab one of these deals in the spring or fall and have your system checked. An HVAC company will look at all the parts of the system to ensure they are operating at peak performance, and they will replace the filter and provide any additional cleaning or maintenance. This keeps your system running optimally so that energy is not wasted.
Replace Air Filter
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for changing the air filter. Many systems require that you replace the filter each month, but some can go longer, especially if you’re not running the air or heat. If you don’t change the air filter, it will become clogged and dirty, which reduces the efficiency of the system and lowers indoor air quality.
Install Window Film
Window film provides energy controlling. It acts as a thermal shield for the windows, saving energy and cutting heating and cooling costs. Since your home’s temperature will be better controlled, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep it warm or cool.
Not all solar film is created equal, though. Be sure to choose a quality product that rejects nearly 80% of the sun’s solar energy. Added bonuses include reduced fading and glare, reduced UV rays and enhanced privacy and security.
Check Vents
At one point in time, it was believed that closing off certain vents would reduce energy, but this isn’t the case. Today’s systems are designed to distribute air evenly, so blocking vents could force your system to work harder. Energy Star says that blocked vents can cause HVAC systems to use 25% more energy to distribute air. Go through the home and make sure that the vents are clear, clean and open.
As you can see, there are many ways that you can reduce the amount of energy your HVAC system uses without having to compromise a comfortable home. Also, being mindful about this system will add years of life onto your investment.
