HVAC systems account for roughly half of your home’s energy bills. Yikes. That means anything you can do to make your system more efficient will have a big impact on your monthly expenses.
The good news is you don’t have to suffer through hotter summers or colder winters. Just use these simple tips to increase your HVAC efficiency and start saving money today.
Change Your Air Filter
Your HVAC air filter has one job: keeping dust, pet hair, and debris out of your system. When it becomes dirty, your HVAC struggles to push air through your home. The effect is two-fold: you’re losing money on energy while your HVAC wears down faster.
Look at your filter monthly and replace it when it becomes dirty or gray. If you replace it yearly, consider upgrading to monthly. Filters are available at any hardware store. Just make sure you’re buying the correct size for your system. No need to invest in anything high-end unless you have allergies.
Stop Losing Air Through Your Ducts
Your HVAC system transports cooled or heated air through ducts all over your home. The problem is most duct systems are incredibly leaky. Did you know 20-30 percent of the air moving through your ducts is lost through holes and gaps? That’s expensive air you’re literally throwing out into the wilderness.
Take a walk through your home and examine any visible ducts. Feel with your hand for air leaks in the attic, basement, and crawl spaces. The reason it matters is your HVAC kicks on more to compensate for lost air. It drives up your energy bills and wears down your system.
You can seal small leaks with mastic sealant or metal tape. For larger problems, hire an HVAC technician. They can do a full test of your system and repair larger leaks.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can save you around 10 percent annually on heating and cooling. It automatically adjusts depending on the time of day. So, if you’re gone all day at work or sleeping at night, your system doesn’t work as hard. When you leave work, it turns back on shortly before you walk inside.
In the summer, set your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re at home. Raise the temp a few degrees when you leave the house. In the winter, 68 degrees is ideal while you’re awake. Lower it at night and when no one is home.
Smart thermostats take it a step further by learning your schedule. Some models allow you to control your home’s temperature from your smartphone. That way you can increase the temp before you leave work and enjoy comfort as soon as you step inside.
Don’t Skip Yearly Maintenance
Yearly maintenance goes a long way for your HVAC system. Schedule service with your local technician twice a year, before summer and before winter. The technician will clean coils, check refrigerant levels, tighten electrical connections, and more. By catching small issues early, your HVAC lasts longer.
Plus, a well-maintained HVAC runs up to 25 percent more efficiently than one that isn’t maintained. Look into HVAC maintenance plans. You pay an annual fee and receive regularly scheduled maintenance and discounts on repairs.
Upgrade Your Insulation
Insulation retains cool air during the summer and warm air during the winter. Therefore, your HVAC doesn’t work quite as hard to cool or heat your home. Focus on your attic first. Hot air rises and a majority is lost through your roof. You should have at least 10-14 inches of insulation in your attic. If you can see your floor joists, you need more insulation.
Your walls and floors need insulation too. Use spray foam to fill holes where your windows meet your walls. Install weatherstripping to prevent drafts.
Employ Your Ceiling Fans
Your ceiling fans don’t actually make the air cooler. They circulate cool air around the room. But our bodies perceive wind on our skin to be cooler temperatures. That means you can keep your thermostat higher without sacrificing comfort.
Run your fan in a counterclockwise direction during summer months. The fan creates a wind chill effect on your skin. In the winter, switch it clockwise at a low speed. It will force warm air down off the ceiling.
Remember to turn off your fans when you leave the room. They cool bodies, not rooms. Leaving a fan on in an empty room wastes energy.
Close Your Blinds and Curtains
Sunshine might be free, but it’s expensive to remove heat from your home. Keep blinds and curtains closed during peak afternoon hours. It may help you lower your indoor temperature by a few degrees. If you live in a sunny climate, install reflective window film or thermal curtains.
They reflect heat but still allow light into your home. You can also plant trees or install awnings outside south-facing windows. Create shade to keep the sun out of your home all day long. The opposite applies for winter months. Open curtains on sunny days. Close them at night to keep heat inside.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
Eventually, you may need to upgrade your HVAC system. Newer models are much more energy efficient than 10-15 years ago. When shopping for a new HVAC, look for high SEER ratings if you’re buying an air conditioner. Or high AFUE ratings if you’re looking for a furnace.
While buying a new system is expensive, it’ll save you money on your monthly bills. You may also be eligible for rebates from your utility company and tax credits from the government. Shop around and ask for multiple quotes from HVAC contractors. Inquire about energy-efficient models and financing options. A reputable contractor will visit your home and recommend what size unit you need.
Don’t Block Your Vents
Speaking of vents, make sure they’re not blocked by furniture or curtains. Air must flow freely through each room of your home. That way your system can properly balance the temperature throughout. Vacuum vents on a regular basis to prevent dust accumulation.
Keep all of your vents open all year round. You may think closing vents saves energy, but it has the opposite effect. Your HVAC has to work harder to compensate for closed vents. It drives up your energy bills and can lead to costly repairs.
How frequently should I change my HVAC air filter?
You should check your filter monthly. If it looks dark or gray when you hold it up to the light, go ahead and change it. A clean filter allows air to flow freely through your system. The easier your HVAC has to work, the more energy you’ll waste. Changing your filter regularly can even extend the life of your HVAC system. Even if you only forget once every few months, you’ll start to see an increase in your energy bills.
2. My ducts are older than dirt. Can they really be causing me to lose energy?
Yes! On average, ducts leak 20–30% of the air that moves through them. That means that heated/cooled air is going into your attic or crawlspace instead of your living spaces. Use metal tape or mastic sealant to close small openings. Call your HVAC professional to have larger issues evaluated and repaired.
3. Is it worth spending money on a programmable thermostat?
Definitely! A basic programmable thermostat can save you about 10% per year on heating and cooling. A smart thermostat takes it one step further by allowing you to monitor and adjust temperature settings from your phone. Schedule your thermostat to perfectly suit your schedule and arrive home to an already cool (or warm) house.
4. Why do I need yearly maintenance on my HVAC?
Your HVAC system needs biannual checkups to run efficiently. During your maintenance appointment, your technician will clean evaporator and condenser coils, check refrigerant levels, tighten electrical connections and repair any minor issues. Left unchecked, these problems can cause your HVAC to work harder and increase your monthly energy costs. A HVAC system that has been regularly maintained can run up to 25% more efficiently than one that has not.
5. Does insulation and using my ceiling fans really help?
Yes! Proper insulation prevents cool or warm air from escaping your home. Using ceiling fans gives the illusion that rooms are cooler than they actually are. In the summer, they blow cool air down and create a wind chill effect. In the winter, they rotate clockwise to redistribute warm air in a room. (Remember to turn off fans when you leave the room. They don’t cool empty rooms.)
6. Will closing vents and doors save me energy?
No! Closing vents makes your HVAC system work harder which wastes energy and can damage your system. Keep all of your vents open and clean. Make sure that your vents are unobstructed by furniture and curtains.