Maintaining home comfort can seem like a daunting task. Your power bills probably skyrocket trying to keep your home cold in the summer and warm in the winter. The good news is it’s easy to cut energy costs in Hagerstown, MD, by following these simple tips:
Give Your Old HVAC System the Boot
If your HVAC system is close to 10 years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Recent Energy Star models are significantly more efficient and can reduce your energy costs considerably. When researching new furnaces, look for models with a high AFUE rating. When researching new air conditioners, look for options that have a higher SEER rating to provide you with the best energy savings.
Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
If you’re using traditional light bulbs, part of the difficulty of cooling your house may come from the heat generated by your lights. A large portion of the electricity used by incandescent bulbs converts to heat instead of light. When you switch to CFLs, you’ll not only cut on your lighting costs. You’ll also reduce the heat emitted in your home.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
An easy upgrade that can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter while reducing energy costs is installing a programmable thermostat. In the summer, you can set programs to increase the temperature when you’re at work or on vacation. You can then set them to decrease the temperature when you’re back home. You can do the same vice versa in the winter to increase your energy savings.
Change Your Filters Regularly
A dirty air filter won’t only put you at a higher risk of breakdowns. It also can cause your unit to run less efficiently. The more clogged your filter, the harder your system will have to work to push air through. The harder your system works, the more energy it expends. As a result, you experience higher energy bills. Change your filter once a month.
Have Your Ductwork Inspected
Leaky, cracked, or damaged ductwork can be the perfect place for conditioned air to leak out and hot air to enter. You may experience a good amount of lost energy as a result of leaks in your ductwork. Not only are you wasting already conditioned air through these leaks, but you’re also causing your HVAC system to run more often to account for the lost air. Investing in duct cleaning is a great way to improve the efficacy of your ducts.
Block the Hot Rays From the Sun
When the sun is at its highest in the afternoon in the summer, you may experience a sudden rise in the temperature. Invest in shades, curtains or tinted window film. Use them on windows that get a lot of direct sunlight. Blocking the sun’s rays can lower the temperature in your home by several degrees. As a result, it’ll reduce strain on your air conditioner. In the winter, let the sunshine inside for the opposite effect.
Use Ceiling Fans to Reduce System Strain
It’s not likely that you’ll get your home to a comfortable temperature by using fans alone. But when you use them in conjunction with your HVAC system, you can take some of the workload off your air conditioner or heater. In the summer, make sure your ceiling fans rotate counterclockwise. In the winter, ensure they rotate clockwise.
Keep Your HVAC System Well-Maintained
A properly inspected and well-maintained HVAC system is a more efficient one. With regular maintenance, you can:
- Improve the life of your system.
- Address any repairs before they lead to breakdowns.
- Have your system thoroughly cleaned.
If you need to schedule HVAC maintenance or a duct cleaning, contact Hagerstown Heating & Cooling today. We’ll help you lower your energy costs year-round.
