With warmer weather on the horizon, making sure your HVAC is operating at peak efficiency is key. Not only will it keep you and your family comfortable, but it could help you save some money on your energy expenses. Wondering how to increase your HVAC efficiency without expensive upgrades? Here are a few tips for you to consider.
Clean Around Your Outdoor Unit
Sometimes all it takes is a good cleaning to help improve your HVAC efficiency. Your outdoor unit can’t function at maximum efficiency while it’s surrounded by dirt and debris. In fact, all of that junk can actually inhibit your HVAC unit from functioning properly at all. So take some time out of your day to clear out the area around your outdoor unit. And for a more extensive cleaning, make sure you call in an HVAC professional to perform an inspection and do some interior cleaning if it’s necessary. Aside from that, you can contribute to your HVAC efficiency with little more than a broom or a leaf blower.
Keep Your Indoor Vents Unblocked
It might seem ridiculous, but you’d be amazed at the number of people who place furniture and other household items in front of or on top of their indoor vents. Whether it’s a sofa or a coffee table, if there’s a piece of furniture blocking your indoor vents, a little bit of rearranging can go a long way. When your vents are unblocked, air can flow steadily throughout your home. That means your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard as it would to get your home to a consistent temperature throughout. And if all it takes is moving your reading chair to a different spot, it’s a super easy fix.
Adjust Your Thermostat Appropriately
It might feel great to walk into a home that’s 63 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer day, but your HVAC system certainly won’t feel the same way. Setting your thermostat too low in the summer or too high in the winter can have serious financial consequences when it comes time to pay your energy bills. So instead of setting your thermostat to what makes you feel cozy, set it to a temperature that maintains the highest level of energy efficiency. If 68 degrees Fahrenheit feels comfortable during the winter, consider setting your thermostat to 65 for a bit of energy savings in your pocket.
Keep Heat Away From Your Thermostat
You might not think about the heat your table lamp gives off at first. But when you see how much it’s affecting your thermostat, you might change your mind pretty quickly. When heat-producing appliances sit too close to your thermostat, they may be tricking it into registering the temperature in your home as warmer than it really is. And when that happens, your AC is going to run more frequently and for longer than it should. In conjunction, those two things mean higher energy bills for you. So make sure there aren’t any appliances around that could skew your thermostat’s temperature readings.
Use Nature to Your Advantage
The natural elements can work wonders when it comes to heating up or cooling down your home. If it’s chilly outside but really sunny, open up your blinds for an hour or so to get some additional heat in your home. If there’s a wonderful breeze on a summer night, turn the AC off and let the cool night air bring the temp down for you. Nature has a way of regulating itself. If you let it, it can help you regulate your home too. And you can save some money while you’re at it.
Almost 50% of the energy used in a typical commercial building goes toward powering HVAC systems. If you want to avoid the same fate for your home, consider putting a few of these tips into practice. Your wallet will certainly thank you.