How you can reduce the amount you spend on your HVAC bill
It might be chilly outside now, but in a blink, the weather will change and the warmer spring months will be back and that means your air conditioner will be called upon to work hard to keep your family’s home cool and comfy. Extra duty time also leads to higher energy bills. Did you know that the average U.S. household spends roughly $500 in electric use during summer months? Much of that cost results from AC use; fortunately, there are many DIY ways to keep these high monthly bills at bay.
With a few simple preventative maintenance chores and minor adjustments in operation, you can keep your home at a comfortable temperature without breaking the bank.
Upgrade and/or seal your windows
Charming old homes are wonderful but most are not energy efficient, especially when it comes to windows. Solve this problem by installing new, energy-efficient windows. You’ll see a significant up-front cost but new windows will make up for it in the long run. Another proven strategy is caulking or sealing cracks and replacing grizzled weather stripping to help prevent air from escaping.
Establish a zone control system
A recent trend in heating and cooling is zone control. A zone system allows you the option of controlling the temperature of various rooms or sections of your home. It is an excellent method to reduce costs and get the most from your HVAC system. Zone control works great for rooms not frequently used, those that are difficult to efficiently cool, and when a home is occupied by people with different ideas of a comfy temperature.
Clean your vents
One of the best strategies to ensure clean air in your home is to start with clean heating and AC vents. Heating and AC vents are the lungs of a home and the cleaner they are, the better they work. While HVAC ducts and vents are part of a sealed unit, it is still important to check for odors (mold), rodents, insects, or other issues. Keep the floor and wall registers vacuumed and for larger jobs, call in pros like the experts at Rowland Air to check your HVAC ducting.
Install a programmable thermostat
Similar to zone temperature control, programmable thermostats are ideal for cutting energy usage by automatically adjusting temps during workdays or overnight. The latest iterations of these types of thermostats can slowly adapt to temperature preferences or even be controlled with a smartphone app.
An alternative to using your HVAC system
If your home doesn’t already have them, installing ceiling fans is tremendously effective in terms of air circulation and takes a great burden off of an HVAC unit.
Clean and replace air filters
The most critical component of an HVAC system is its filter, which prevents dust and other particles from blocking vents and keeps air circulating efficiently. Do your part and replace or clean dirty filters monthly, or more often depending on your home’s needs.