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Common HVAC Energy Savings Tips

If you’re trying to do your part to make choices in your home that are good for the environment, you’ll also want to consider these eco-friendly HVAC tips from Star Heating & Cooling, central Indiana’s trusted heating and cooling experts.

Your HVAC system uses about half of your home’s energy use, so decisions made regarding your HVAC system will affect your energy costs – as well as the planet.

Summer and Spring Energy Savings Tips

Many of the tips to increase energy efficiency in your home this spring and summer are simple tasks that only take a minute or two. Here are a few things you can do to keep your system working effectively and your energy costs under control.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

Regularly changing your home’s air filter helps your HVAC system run more efficiently. Systems with dirty furnace filters clogged with contaminants have difficulty moving air, causing the system stress and leading to breakdowns. Furnace filters should be changed every three months on average, but follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Schedule Annual HVAC Checkups

Have your air conditioner tuned up by a professional, NATE-certified technician in the spring before you turn it on for the first time. The same should be done for your furnace in the fall before cold weather arrives.

An annual check up will clean and inspect all of the air conditioning unit’s components and look for refrigerant leaks. A tune up can catch issues before they become serious and lead to a break down in the summer.

Utilize Your Home’s Ceiling Fans

In the summer, use the ceiling fans to cool rooms, and delay the use of the air conditioner, if possible. Fans create a wind-chill effect that can cool people in the room. Turn off fans when nobody is using the room.

Adjust Your Programmable Thermostat

You can save 10% on your overall cooling and heating bills when you adjust the thermostat 7° to 10°F – depending on the season – for eight hours a day from its normal setting, according to Energy.gov.

In the summer, adjust the temperature to 78°F while you’re away from home, and watch the energy savings pour in!

Inspect Air Vents and Ductwork

Check that there are no blockages or leaks in the ductwork that can restrict proper airflow to every room in the house. It’s estimated as much as 30% of conditioned air can escape from ducts that need to be sealed.

The Age of Your HVAC System

If your heating and cooling system is more than 10 to 12 years, you may want to consider replacing it with an energy-efficient system. Air conditioners made before 2010 may still use R-22, which has ozone-depleting properties and is no longer available. Newer furnaces are considerably more energy efficient than those made a decade ago.

When you do decide to replace your HVAC unit, purchase the most energy efficient unit with the highest AFUE you can afford. Also, work with a HVAC company who will sell you the right size unit for your home. Oversized or undersized units can ineffectively heat or cool your home.

Use Windows to Your Advantage

If it’s cool enough overnight during the spring and summer, try turning off the air conditioner and opening windows when you’re sleeping, according to Energy.gov. During the day, close the windows and blinds to keep the cool air in.

Contact Star Heating & Cooling for Your Home Comfort Needs

It’s tempting to try to make too many changes all at once when you’re ready to minimize your carbon footprint. But it’s probably better to take on a few of these tips to begin with, and make them a part of your everyday life. Once you see the benefits of adopting these eco-friendly HVAC tips, you’ll find it easier to make additional changes in your life.

For any questions about your heating and cooling system, or to schedule repair, replacement or tune up service, contact the pros at Star Heating & Cooling today!