Are you starting to notice a rise in your energy bills?
Are your expenses increasing, even though you’re keeping your home at the same temperature as in previous years?
Our professional HVAC Contractors solve this problem.
We’ve put together 7 proven tips that can lead to reduced heating and cooling costs:
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
Installing a smart thermostat is the best way to track energy usage and identify cost-saving opportunities.
With this system in place, you gain the ability to control your thermostat remotely. You can also update temperature settings for different zones (we’ll tell you more about this in tip #2) and minimize your overall energy expenses through strategic scheduling.
You can even schedule your heating cooling services to turn on when you are home and be automatically lowered when everyone leaves your house for work and school during the day or at night when you’re comfortably tucked into your bed.
One of the best things about smart thermostats is that they’re user-friendly. You don’t have to be a licensed HVAC contractor to figure out how to adjust the settings, and they usually come with handy instructions that make your life that much easier.
If you happen to get a unit that doesn’t have a set of instructions that are compatible with you, your HVAC installation technician should take the time to explain the system to you. This way, you can achieve your goals without having to phone your AC company to inquire about the right settings.
2. Consider Creating a Zoning System
As mentioned above, creating a zoning system requires a smart thermostat.
Once you have this component in place, you can start saving right away.
Zoning works by keeping the rooms you frequently use at the perfect temperature while reducing heating and cooling services to storage areas and other parts of your home that are seldom used.
Say you’re hosting an event in your basement, and you’d like to change the temperature in the room to accommodate different plans than usual.
A smart thermostat makes making these adjustments to your zoning plan so much easier. When the event is over, and your basement is no longer being used, you can switch back to your regular programming and reap the benefits of keeping your house warm or cool, depending on where you spend most of your time.
This is an environmentally friendly way to protect your budget as well as the environment and can lead to significant savings over the long term.
3. Open Your Curtains and Let the Sun Heat Your Home Naturally
Keeping your curtains closed during peak sunlight hours during the summer can reduce your dependence on AC.
In fact, the type of blinds or curtains you use can make a difference too.
In contrast, during the winter months, we recommend throwing your curtains wide open and welcoming in as much free, natural light and heat as possible.
Not only is this good for the environment and your pocketbook, but it’s also great for indoor air quality and improved health. The sun’s rays are a natural disinfect, as well as a robust source of vitamin D.
4. Dress for the Weather
If you are a year-round shorts and t-shirt person, it might be time to consider making some lifestyle adjustments.
While we would never want to dictate your fashion choices, our experts suggest you consider layering up in the winter, and opting for cooler outfit choices in the summer.
We’ve seen cases where lowering your home’s temperature by one or two degrees in the winter, and putting on a sweater can add up to significant savings over the long term. It’s worth putting it out there as another option you can try.
5. Stay on Top of HVAC Air-Filter Replacements
Staying on top of HVAC air-filter replacements is vital to your system's proper function and longevity.
This is one of our favorite tips because it helps save you money, but it also protects your health and the air quality inside your home.
When air filters get clogged up with dust, grime, bacteria, and other pathogenic particles, they begin circulating in the air you breathe and can lead to problems with eye irritation, allergies, and other health issues.
If you are comfortable performing the replacement yourself, we recommend doing so at least once every 90 days.
If you are not familiar with the safety procedures needed to undertake this task, don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted heating contractor for affordable solutions.
6. Have your HVAC Ductwork Inspected for Air Leaks and Other Problems
Without regular inspection, it can be difficult to tell if your HVACs ductwork is leaking. Some telltale signs of leaks include:
- Ballooning heating and cooling expenses, despite regular usage.
- Certain areas of your home never heat up or cool down to your desired temperature.
- Your home is much dustier than usual, and you suspect your ductwork is the culprit.
- You or your family member may be experiencing an environmental illness because of broken ductwork that could be pulling in toxic fumes from outside or another part of your home.
- Your HVAC system requires frequent troubleshooting.
- Your ductwork has aged to the end of its recommended lifespan and should be inspected.
Investing in fixing these problems now will increase the overall value, comfort, and enjoyment of your home, as well as get your energy bills back under control.
Ask yourself, can you really afford not to make these necessary changes?
7. Upgrade Your HVAC to a More Energy Efficient System
New technology has made it easier than ever to protect the environment and to get ahead of increasing costs by reducing consumption requirements.
Even the best HVAC installations have a limited lifespan, and if yours is nearing the end, it's time to consider energy-efficient options.
Conclusion: Following These Tips from Top HVAC Installers will Lower Your Monthly Energy Bills
Our experts use these tips (and more) to help hundreds of homeowners solve HVAC problems and enjoy lower monthly bills.
Did you see anything in this list that you’ve already tried? Do you have a tip that is working for your household that we may have left out?
We want to hear about your experience, so drop us a few lines in the comments below!