How to Lower Heating and Cooling Costs
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system works hard to keep your home and family comfortable all year round. Demand can increase when Georgia winters and summers get extreme, increasing the need for an efficient, reliable unit.
Lowering your heating and air conditioner (AC) energy consumption is easy and hassle-free if you follow a few tips and get regular system maintenance.
1. Insulate Your Home
You pay for cool air in summer and warm air in winter to regulate your indoor temperature through the seasons. For your HVAC to work effectively, the air should remain in your home. Sealing cracks and openings ensures the air doesn’t escape, keeping the desired temperatures inside. Warm or cool air can escape through any opening, including slits, cracks, and holes.
Caulking is a great way to insulate your doors and windows quickly and easily. Weatherstripping is another option, and if you’re not up for doing it yourself, you can hire a professional. It’s also a good idea to check your attic for any drafts and ensure they’re sealed.
2. Adjust the Thermostat
You can save energy and money by changing your thermostat settings. Try turning up your thermostat by seven to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from your usual summer temperature for a more efficient solution. You can also do this in winter, lowering your regular temperature by the same range. These adjustments can save you up to 10% a year on energy costs.
The goal is to have as little difference between the outside and inside temperatures, giving your HVAC a breather. You can choose the most comfortable setting for you and your household, and change it for different times of the day, like when you’re out or sleeping.
3. Consider a Programmable Thermostat
Though thermostat adjustments are efficient, they require you to remember to change the settings. Also, if you’re away from home, you won’t be able to change the temperature. Another good tip for lowering heating and cooling costs is installing smart solutions that make HVAC energy efficiency more convenient.
Programmable thermostats control your thermostat settings remotely. If you’re on vacation and forgot to change the temperature, you can do it from your phone. After a while, the system remembers your preferences, adjusts to your schedule, and automates the process.
4. Regularly Change the Air Filters
An HVAC pulls air from the room into the unit, heats or cools it, and pushes it back into your living spaces. The conditioned air that moves back out goes through the air filters first, which is why changing them is important. The filters trap dander, dust, pollen, mildew, and other allergens, which can clog them over time.
Changing your filters every season is a good rule of thumb to maintain the HVAC’s efficacy and healthy indoor air quality. If you use your unit continuously, have one or more pets, or have allergies, you can change it more often. It’s generally easy to change your filters yourself. If you want the whole system cleaned, get a professional HVAC technician, as DIY cleaning can damage sensitive components.
If your HVAC uses ducts and vents, it’s also best to get them cleaned. Like air filters, dust and dirt can get trapped in the ducts, restricting the airflow and making your HVAC system work harder.
5. Use Appliances After Midday
Big appliances like washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves generate a lot of heat while they’re on. During summer, try limiting how much you use them during the day. You can either wait for the midday heat to pass or use them at night.
Doing this even just once a week can make a difference. It keeps the temperature in your home cooler, helping your AC not work as hard.
6. Maintain the Equipment
One of the best tips for lowering heating and cooling costs is to regularly maintain the system. A well-functioning HVAC system works better, provides reliable service, and is more efficient. During a routine checkup, the technician will clean the unit, check for leaks, and recommend repairs.
A savvy tip is to get a tuneup annually and not wait for your HVAC to start showing problems. Doing this lets you avoid sudden and unwanted heating or cooling surprises. Seasonal maintenance keeps the unit working at its best, allowing you to enjoy the system throughout the year.
7. Close Blinds and Drapes
Help your AC during summer by closing the drapes and blinds. Getting natural light is important, and you only have to do this when the sun’s rays shine strongest in your house. Extra sunlight can significantly heat your home, with roughly 76% of the sunlight that falls on window panes becoming heat that your HVAC has to cool down.
You can do the same in winter. Get heavier sheer curtains for the day, and heavier drapes for the evening. This helps keep heat inside your home, saving energy and keeping temperatures comfortable.
8. Install Ceiling Fans
Another summer tip is to install ceiling fans in rooms. You can switch your AC off occasionally, especially when you leave for shorter periods, like going to the grocery store. Make sure the fan spins counterclockwise, creating a direct breeze and cooling the air. If this isn’t an option, box fans can also work. They provide a comfortable breeze on cooler summer days without using your AC.
For winter, set the fan to spin clockwise, allowing warm air to circulate in the room. If possible, consider heater fans on days that aren’t too cold. Giving your HVAC a break, even occasionally, can go a long way in saving money on your heating and cooling costs.
9. Upgrade to an Efficient System
The best way to maximize HVAC efficiency is to upgrade to a new, modern system. A new installation is a viable option if it’s been a while since you bought a new unit. Consider replacing your AC every 10 years and your heater every 15 years.
Newer models are required by law to be more energy-efficient, assuring you have a well-functioning, capable appliance. You could also qualify for rebates if you get an efficient new HVAC system.
Meeks Heating & Air Will Help You Lower Heating and Cooling Costs
With these tips, having a smooth-running HVAC system is easy. However, sometimes the most significant change you can make is upgrading to a new unit.
At Meeks Heating & Air, we proudly serve Georgia residents with responsive, local HVAC services. Whether you need an air conditioning installation or want to install a new heater, we can assist. Contact us today if you’re unsure about the right option, and our team will assess the system and recommend a suitable solution for your needs.
