Almost 50% of the energy your home uses is from heating and cooling which explains why many home’s utility bills spike in the hottest and coldest months of the year. This also means that your HVAC system is a great place to focus your energy efficiency sights. With our 4 simple tips you’ll be able to improve the energy efficiency of your home’s HVAC system and save a lot of money on your utility bills.
Inspect and Change your Air Filter Regularly
A clogged air filter restricts the amount of air that can get through your unit and reduces efficiency. Check your air filter for debris once a month to keep your unit running well. Hold the filter up and if you can’t see light passing through it then it is probably time to change it. Most filters last 60-90 days, but check them sooner to avoid them reducing the efficiency of your unit
Clean the Coils on Your Air Conditioning Unit
Check your air conditioner’s coils for a quick and easy way to make sure that your air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible. The fan in your A/C unit pulls warm air over the coils to cool it, but this also means that the unit can pull in sticks, leaves, and other debris.
Check your unit at least once a week in the warm months and remove any debris that you find. Keeping tree and other plants at least 2 feet away from your unit is a great way to avoid future problems as well. For a deeper clean turn off the power to the unit and vacuum the fins with a soft bristle attachment or rinse the fins with water.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Coming home to a hot or cold house is the worst. This means that most homeowners have to leave their air conditioner or heater on the whole time they’re gone. While this gets the job done it also wastes a lot of energy and money.
Invest in a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature so your home is only comfortable when you’re there to enjoy it. This can save you a lot of money by allowing your house to be a higher or lower temperature while you’re at work depending on the season and turning back on to make your home comfortable before you walk in the door.
Replace Your Old HVAC Equipment With a New Energy Efficient Unit
This isn’t as easy of a fix, but you can save a lot of money by upgrading to a new Energy Star rated model. Installing a new unit isn’t exactly a DIY friendly job, but that’s where our professional team here at Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating and Cooling can help. Our experienced technicians can install a high-efficiency air conditioner or furnace in your home and have you saving money fast.