A HVAC system that’s well-maintained can use lower energy amounts than one that is not. Consistently having your HVAC system serviced can improve performance and help save you money in electric costs. Thankfully, there’s even more you can do to better your property’s energy efficiency. Here are some easy things you can do take to improve your Sandpoint home.
- Close up any leaks around your windows and doors. Even miniscule cracks can let heat or cool air disappear from your house. Add caulk or weatherstripping wherever you find leaks.
- Use your windows. If it’s cooler when the sun goes down, turn off your air conditioning and open the windows. In the morning, shut the windows and your curtains or blinds to keep the cooler air in and to stop heat gain through the windows.
- Insulate your walls and attic. Insulation is normally equated with keeping your home warm in the cold season, but it also helps you out in the summer. Heat is constantly working toward cooler places—like your rooms. Sufficient insulation keeps heat from going through your attic and walls.
- Have your ducts cleaned. Air flows easier through your home when your ducts are uncluttered. That makes your air conditioner’s job simpler.
- Check to see your ducts are accurately sealed to prevent air leaks and insulate them if needed. You’re losing valuable heated or cooled air if your ducts have leaks. Properly sealing and insulating ducts is even more important if they are in the attic, a vented crawlspace or any other unconditioned space.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats make managing your home comfort and efficiency simple. You can automatically move your temperature when you’re out and about or when you’re sleeping while avoiding discomfort because your home’s temperature will return to normal when needed.
- If you choose not to use a programmable thermostat, avoid setting your thermostat at a lower-than-usual setting when you turn on your air conditioner. You might feel like it will cool your home at a faster rate, but the time it takes to cool won’t be impacted. You’ll just cost yourself more in energy.
- Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. To help keep your cooling bill low, make sure the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures is as little as possible. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% annually on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7° to 10°F from its normal setting for eight hours a day. Using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner can let you raise your thermostat a little more. You can raise your setting by about 4°F without changing your comfort.
- Limit heat-generating appliances near your thermostat. If you’re putting lamps, tvs or other heat generating appliances close to your thermostat, it can cause your air conditioner to run longer than needed because it senses heat from these appliances and thinks your home needs cooling.
- Invest in new, energy-efficient equipment. If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping up with your home-comfort needs, call Age Heating & Cooling for an assessment. It may be time to replace it with ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment that can lower your annual energy bill by more than $115, according to energystar.gov.
If you’re interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency, call Age Heating & Cooling at 208-578-4258. Our experts can help you think about solutions, energy-efficient equipment or schedule a regular maintenance appointment. You can also schedule your appointment online using our online scheduler.