Heating and cooling costs account for more than half of a typical home's energy expenses. Finding ways to reduce HVAC energy use without sacrificing comfort can lead to significant savings on your monthly bills. Follow these tips to operate your heating and cooling system efficiently. Count on our skilled HVAC technicians for expert solutions, ensuring your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems operate at their best.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
One of the best ways to maintain an efficient HVAC system is through regular maintenance:
Replace air filters monthly to allow proper airflow and reduce strain on system components.
Have an annual tune-up done by a technician to clean, adjust and inspect the entire system.
Check that refrigerant levels, thermostat settings, and ductwork are all optimized for efficiency.
Address any minor issues before they lead to major energy waste or system failure.
Proper maintenance keeps your HVAC system operating at peak efficiency year after year.
Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Installing a programmable or smart WiFi-enabled thermostat allows you to closely control the runtime of your HVAC system. Program it to:
Adjust temperature setpoints for when you are asleep or away from home to conserve energy.
Reduce heating temperature when away in winter (but don't allow pipes to freeze).
Raise cooling temperature when not home in summer.
Customize schedules for weekdays, weekends and seasonal changes.
New smart thermostats learn your schedule and allow control via smartphone. This automation saves more than manually programming setpoints.
Improve Insulation
Adding insulation reduces heat transfer through exterior walls, attics, basements and ductwork. Effective insulation lowers HVAC runtime needed to maintain desired temperatures.
Insulate attics to recommended R-49 rating whenever possible.
Check exterior walls for gaps and fill insulated cavities.
Wrap ductwork running through unconditioned areas to prevent losses.
Seal windows, doors, electrical outlets/switches and plumbing penetrations.
A home energy audit can identify areas needing better insulation and air sealing.
Adjust Vents
Ensuring HVAC vents are properly positioned optimizes airflow and temperature distribution:
Close vents and doors in unused rooms so you're only heating or cooling occupied areas.
Open vents fully in occupied rooms for adequate airflow.
Adjust vent baffles to direct air away from walls and windows.
Ensure furniture and window treatments don't obstruct airflow.
Keep return air vents unblocked so air can flow back to the HVAC system.
Use Ceiling Fans
Running ceiling fans allows you to raise thermostat temperatures in summer and lower them in winter without losing comfort.
Spin fans counter-clockwise to push cool air down in summer.
Reverse direction to draw warm air upward in winter.
Add an inexpensive fan to rooms without ducted air supply.
Use the highest practical speed that feels comfortable.
Change Fan Setting
Many HVAC systems let you switch the fan from "auto" to "on." Use fan modes wisely:
Auto mode only runs the fan when heating or cooling is activated. This saves fan energy.
On mode runs the fan continuously for increased air circulation. Only use this when occupied so you're not pushing conditioned air through empty rooms.
Don't Block Vents
Ensure furniture, window treatments, and other objects don't obstruct airflow from vents:
Keep drapes/blinds from hanging over vents and blocking air distribution.
Avoid placing beds, sofas and shelves directly in front of supply and return vents.
Never close off supply vents in unused rooms. This causes pressure imbalance in ductwork.
Maintaining unobstructed airflow allows your HVAC system to operate efficiently.
Size Systems Properly
HVAC systems that are dramatically oversized cycle on and off frequently, reducing comfort and efficiency.
When replacing aging HVAC equipment, have a contractor size systems based on accurate heat loss/gain calculations and local codes.
Avoid oversizing to allow more continuous operation. Multiple staged systems help prevent short cycling.
Take Advantage of the Sun
During colder months, take advantage of solar heat gain through south-facing windows.
Open blinds/curtains on sunny days to allow incoming sunlight to warm your home naturally.
Close them at night to reduce heat loss through windows.
Strategic window shading in summer helps reduce solar heat gain and cooling demands. Install exterior shades if possible.
These practical tips will save energy while allowing your HVAC system to maintain indoor comfort. Small adjustments add up to big savings on utility bills over time.
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