Most homeowners in the United States shell out thousands of dollars every year on heating, ventilation and air conditioning bills. The truth is that you can lower your energy expenses by improving the efficiency of your HVAC system. Here are some simple energy-saving tips that can help you cut-back.
For Heating
Heating accounts for almost 60% of our energy use. There are three main ways of reducing heating expenses:
- Turn it down: Even by decreasing the set points by one degree has the potential to lower your yearly heating bill by almost 8%.
- Replace inefficient boilers: Replacing unproductive boilers with higher efficiency models can help you gain better savings through a heating system that is more energy efficient.
For Ventilation
Proper ventilation is extremely important. It offers fresh air and also assists in protecting a house against condensation and dampness. Needless ventilation, on the other hand, can lead to energy wastage and can cost you a lot of money.
- Time settings: Try to make sure the fans are not running when not required. This practice will not only help you save energy, but will also keep the hot air from venting out of the house.
- Motors: When you buy a new motor for your ventilator, always stick to a higher efficiency model as it can easily save you up to 5% on energy costs.
For Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is known to increase the energy consumption and related carbon emissions by almost 100%. Fortunately, there are some easy, low-cost ways that can help you save energy and make your A/C more efficient.
- Temperature control: Make sure your A/C does not function below 24°C. Also, your cooling and heating systems should not be competing with one another as it is a complete wastage of money.
- Variable speed drives: Do not generate more cooling than you actually need – this can waste energy and money. Variable speed drives can fluctuate the system’s output to meet your requirements all through the day. This can help you in saving money on energy.
- Free cooling coils: It utilizes outside air (if it is cool enough) as a source of lowering the temperature within the house. This helps in reducing energy bills because you won’t have to utilize as much energy to generate cooling for the AC system.
- Keep windows and doors shut: Keep the windows and doors closed during the day to save energy. Reopen the coverings at night or early morning to let in cool fresh air from outside.
- Leaky ducts: Request for a complete inspection of your ducts. Leaky ducts are extremely common and reduce the effectiveness of a system. Remember, small modifications to these units can help save a lot of time and money.
If you are experiencing problems and your unit is more than ten years old, consider buying a new HVAC system. A new efficient system, when properly installed and sized, will turn out to be more cost-effective in the long run. Buying a unit of the right size and installing it correctly is critical to comfort and efficiency. Ask for help and guidance from a local HVAC expert, and make sure a qualified professional installs the new system. Also, have your system professionally serviced every season. Request for a tune-up periodically that includes cleaning the coils, checking the refrigerant for charge and a complete inspection of the duct system.
