10 HVAC Tips to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
We all want to stay warm inside our homes during the colder months, but we also want to avoid spending too much on our energy bills. Do you know how much the monthly energy bill of an average household in the U.S is? It is $104. If it doesn’t get you thinking about the efficiency of your HVAC system, then I don’t know what will. The good news is that there are some ways to make your HVAC more energy efficient without compromising the comfort of your home. Here are 10 tips that will help you keep your home warm during the winter and comfortable during the rest of the years without straining your wallet.
1. Install a Programmable Thermostat
One of the best things you can do to lower your energy bills is installing a programmable thermostat in your home. Once you do this, you will be able to control your HVAC and the temperature inside your home from even when you’re not around. With programmable thermostats, you can control your HVAC without being physically present near the unit. Moreover, you can set up the thermostat according to your schedule. You can set a time for when you leave your home and when you come back to it from work or somewhere else.
Also, using the thermostat, you can set different temperatures for the different rooms in your home. This along with a comfortable bed will guarantee a relaxing time for you in your room while helping you save money on your energy bill. If you’re looking for a comfortable bed, then you may want to explore your options and find out more about the different types of beds available today.
2. Invest in an Energy-Efficient Furnace or Air conditioning unit
Regardless of how well-maintained or efficient your HVAC is, you won’t be saving any money on your energy bill if the furnace and air conditioning units in your home are not energy efficient. If you have a furnace or air conditioning unit that is old or hasn’t been maintained properly, then you’d do well to invest in a new energy-efficient furnace or A/C unit. Although you will have to pay decent money upfront for a replacement energy-efficient unit, the long- term savings from this unit will more than cover what you paid initially.
3. Inspect the Control Functions of Your HVAC
It is important for you to ensure that the control functions of your HVAC are working properly because they are mostly handled parts of your system. Additionally, they can cause a spike in your energy bill if they’re not working properly. Call in an HVAC service for the inspection and ensure the functions are operating properly.
4. Keep the Vents Clear
If you want to maintain proper airflow in your house, then ensure that the ducts and vents throughout your property are not blocked by debris or furniture. By doing this, you will prevent your HVAC system from getting overburdened. This will increase the efficiency of your HVAC system to keep your monthly energy bill low.
5. Replace the Air Filters
You’ve probably heard this before. This is because replacing the HVAC’s air filters is important. Ideally, the filters should be replaced after every month, as this will ensure a more efficient HVAC performance. If your HVAC’s air filters are dirty or clogged, then they will cause your system to work harder and affect the air quality in your home, which can lead to health problems.
6. Install Ceiling Fans
This will help to circulate the air in your home. It is common knowledge that warm air rises. Therefore, when you turn on the ceiling fan, it creates a slight breeze that allows the room to cool faster. To speed up the circulation of air in your home, install few ceiling fans. Also, you can keep the air moving at floor level by adding a couple of floor fans as well. This will cool your home in no time without putting any extra burden on your air conditioner. When your A/C has to work less hard to keep your home cool, your energy bill will automatically reduce.
7. Replace Broken or Outdated Elements
Do you have an old unit that keeps breaking down and consistently keeps your energy bills high? Then you may want to consider replacing the broken or outdated parts instead of replacing the entire unit altogether. If you have a well-maintained HVAC system that gets used a lot, then replace the broken or outdated parts of the unit to increase the unit’s energy efficiency. By upgrading your system, you can increase its efficiency which in turn can help to lower your energy bill. Some of the elements of your HVAC system that you may want to consider replacing include the following:
- Controls of the condenser fan
- The Compressor
- Demand-controlled ventilation
8. Regularly Maintain Your HVAC System
A complex collection of parts, your home’s HVAC system will perform as expected only if each part in the system is working optimally. The only way to ensure this is by regularly maintaining your HVAC system. By regularly maintaining your HVAC system and repairing any minor issues with it, you will ensure that your home stays cool in summertime and warm during the winters.
9. Ensure that All Moving Parts are Lubricated
This is something many people miss out on when maintaining their HVAC. However, lubricating your HVAC’s moving parts is extremely important. If the moving parts of your HVAC are not lubricated, then your system’s motors may develop friction. This will force the system to work harder to function as normal, which in turn will increase electricity usage, resulting in a high energy bill.
10. Power Down Your HVAC Unit
If you do not spend a whole lot of time in your home, then you may want to consider powering down your HVAC unit to keep your energy bills down. If you live alone and travel frequently, then this may be a great idea. It may also be a good idea when you are leaving for a vacation with your family. By turning off the HVAC while you’re not around, you will save lots of money on electricity that is otherwise wasted.
If you are serious about lowering your monthly energy bills, then you should consider the above-mentioned HVAC tips to save money on your energy bills.