Heating and cooling our homes makes up most of our energy usage. You can increase efficiency and lower your utility bills by making some easy changes and making sure you stick to the recommended maintenance schedule for your HVAC equipment. Homeowners in Augusta, GA can benefit from our regular maintenance service. Here are five ways to make your HVAC system more efficient.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is an inexpensive upgrade that can increase your HVAC efficiency. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a huge difference in your utility bills.
A programmable thermostat allows you to increase or decrease the temperature of your home, automatically, throughout the day. If your ideal home temperature is around 70 degrees, you can increase efficiency by programming the thermostat for savings while you’re away at work. By setting your thermostat for ten degrees warmer during summer and ten degrees cooler during the winter when you’re not home, you can make a dramatic difference in cost and performance.
Keep AC Coils Clean
There are easy steps you can take to help keep your AC coils clean. The AC fan pulls warm air into the unit and over the coils. As it does this, it has a tendency to pull in dirt and debris. You can help minimize this by clearing the area around the unit. Remove loose vegetation like sticks and leaves that may be on or near the unit. It’s best to have an area of at least two feet around the AC unit that’s free of trees and shrubs.
Another step you can take is to clean the fins and coils. Call us and we can take care of giving your coils and fins a thorough cleaning.
Upgrade HVAC Equipment
You can save a lot of money in the long run by investing in an equipment upgrade. The upfront expense can save you hundreds of dollars on your yearly energy costs. New equipment with a top energy rating will operate more efficiently than units that are older than 10 to 15 years. For example, if you have a central air conditioning unit that is more than 12 years old, Energy Star estimates that you can save about 30 percent on your home cooling expense when you upgrade to new equipment.
Change Filters Regularly
It’s easy to change your air filters and it makes a real difference in your HVAC efficiency. If the filter is dirty, the air is blocked, which hinders performance. Depending on the quality of your filter and your amount of usage, filters can last anywhere from 60 days to a year. It’s best to get in the habit of visually inspecting the air filter once a month. If you can’t see through the filter, it means it is time to replace it. A new filter is an inexpensive way to improve efficiency as well as your home’s air quality.
Check Your Duct Work
Duct cleaning is an important aspect of home maintenance that can make a huge difference in your HVAC system’s performance. You should regularly vacuum your duct registers and remove any debris from ducts that are easily accessible. Dust can accumulate in ducts, which can cause a decrease in efficiency. Pet hair and dander can also get into your ductwork.
It’s a good idea to have your ducts professionally cleaned every two to five years. You should also check all duct connections to make sure that everything is properly sealed. Make sure to check for holes and gaps in your ducting. If your HVAC system has airflow leaks, the unit will have to work extra hard to compensate for the loss. This can make your equipment wear out faster, in addition to costing you extra money on your utility bills.
HVAC systems account for most of our energy usage as homeowners. Small changes such as cleaning, automatic thermostat programming, and routine maintenance can add up to a huge boost in efficiency. When you need to schedule a professional inspection of your HVAC, give Doc Savage Heating & Air Conditioning a call at (706) 426-9262.
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