Maximize Your HVAC System’s Efficiency

Did you know your HVAC system—your heating and air conditioning—uses almost half of the energy your home needs to operate? Which means, if you’re interested in looking at ways to improve your energy efficiency, it seems logical to look at the HVAC system, right? With just a few adjustments or smart choices, you can make a sizeable dent in your heating and cooling costs.

Here’s what you can do to make the most of the heating and cooling comfort in your home while keeping costs to a minimum.

Be sure you have the HVAC system that’s the right size for your home.

Too small? Inefficient. Too big? That’s also inefficient. In fact, an inadequate HVAC unit can drive up your utility costs as it struggles to properly heat or cool your home when the temperatures change, cycling on and off repeatedly.

Also be sure you have the right type of HVAC system for your home.

This is really a fuel question: If your home is all electric, your only choice is to have a heat pump, which is a furnace and air conditioner, combined. If your home has natural gas or propane, you can have separate units, allowing you to run just the furnace OR the air conditioner, depending on the season, and using a less expensive fuel than electricity. That can keep your costs down. On the other hand, many people value the simplicity of the one-unit heat pump.

Is your thermostat a helpful tool?

Does your thermostat allow you to easily maintain a consistent temperature in your home? If it does, fantastic; you’re able to regulate the temperature, balancing comfort and savings. If it doesn’t, you might consider getting a programmable thermostat that allows you to make automatic adjustments, heating and cooling your home on your schedule. By the way, the Department of Energy calculates a 3% savings on cooling expenses for every degree you set above 72 degrees.

Here are some simple things you can do to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.

• Regularly clean your vents and replace your filters.
• Follow the manufacturer’s schedule for maintaining your HVAC unit.
• Add fans during warmer months so you can lower your thermostat and save on cooling bills.
• Close your blinds and curtains to keep the sun’s heat out on warmer days.
• Check your windows and doors for leaks and drafts—and plug them if any are found; these can add up to energy loss and higher bills.

These are some of the ways you can assess your HVAC system to see if you’re getting the biggest heating and cooling bang for your buck. It’s always a good idea to keep tabs on how things are operating; who knows, with just a few changes, you could make a big impact on your family’s comfort and costs.

If you want to talk to an Adeedo! HVAC professional about how you can maximize your existing unit’s output and lower your bills, or you have questions about new units out there, don’t hesitate to contact us. We want to help keep your home happy!