Home Heating & Cooling Efficiency Hacks
If the idea of a HVAC system that operates at peak performance and wastes as little energy as possible sounds like a dream come true, then there are some excellent hacks out there that can turn your dream into a reality.
HVAC systems are important for keeping your home warm in colder months and cool in hotter months, but they can be incredibly expensive to operate if they’re not working efficiently.
Heating & Cooling Efficiency
To boost the performance of your heating & cooling system, and save you money on your bills, here are the top hacks that you need to improve your HVAC system:
1. Prevent Air Leaks by Insulating Your Duct Work
Insulating the exposed duct work in your home is one of the easiest ways to boost HVAC efficiency and save money. You can easily insulate the duct work with duct-sealing tape, making sure to seal all duct joints and the ducts in unconditioned spaces. To ensure the seal is as efficient as possible, it’s best to get a professional to assess the insulation during your next HVAC maintenance check in Westmont IL.
2. Give Your Thermostat Room to Breathe (and Monitor the Temperature Correctly)
If your thermostat is located close to any appliances that produce heat, then it could be costing you more money to cool your home and preventing the HVAC system from heating your home effectively.
Moving lights and other heat-generating appliances away from the thermostat will make sure that it’s giving an accurate reading at all times, and not cooling your home for longer than necessary.
3. Switch to a Smart Thermostat for Unparalleled Home Comfort
Thermostat technology has come a long way in recent years, so if you’re trying to cut your energy costs and you have an older thermostat installed, it could be time to get it replaced.
Modern thermostats are more sensitive to temperature changes and have advanced features that give you greater control over the temperature in your home.
4. Replace the Filter in Your Furnace
Something as simple as changing the filter in your furnace can have an amazing effect on the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Replacing the filter once every few months (or even monthly) will make sure that the furnace is not working any harder than necessary to pull air. This hack will not only increase HVAC efficiency, but also increase the lifespan of your furnace.
6. Keep Your Water Heater Warm
Water heaters can be very prone to energy loss if they aren’t maintained properly. You can tell straight away if you’re leaking energy from your water heater as it’ll be slightly warm when you touch it.
Most water heaters can easily be insulated with a blanket or sheet, which will increase energy efficiency and reduce energy expenditure. However, it’s important to consult a HVAC expert before insulating your water heater to make sure that the DIY insulation is safe.
7. Clean Your Vents and Get Rid of Any Debris Around Your Condenser Unit
Dirty or blocked vents can stop your HVAC system from heating or cooling your rooms as efficiently, costing you much more money. Using a vacuum to clean the vents is one of the easiest ways to create optimum air flow throughout your home. It’s also important to move any furniture away from the vents to allow the air to enter the room and circulate properly.
Just as it’s important to keep your indoor vents free of obstruction, it’s also important to make sure that there’s nothing blocking the outdoor condenser. A clean condenser that’s free of debris will work much more efficiently and save you money.
7. Reduce the Pressure on Your HVAC System and Optimize Your Home Interior
There are lots of small changes that you can make around the house that, whilst not directly related to your HVAC, will help you to reduce your home’s reliance on heating and cooling. To boost energy efficiency, you can:
- Open your curtains during the day to let in heat
- Use window film to reduce heat transfer in the summer
- Invest in low heat-output LED lights
- Keep your home ventilated in the winter with screen doors
- Improve ventilation in the attic
- Seal doors and windows to prevent drafts
- Install a ceiling fan that blows air downwards
- Close the doors to rooms that you’re not using
You can also make some changes to the exterior of your property to reduce pressure on your HVAC system and keep your home at the perfect temperature, such as creating natural shade with plants and trees and making sure there’s shade around your condenser.
8. Optimize Your Heating & Cooling in Westmont, IL with Regular HVAC Maintenance
The best way to guarantee that your HVAC is operating at peak performance is to schedule regular maintenance from a professional HVAC inspector and installer.
Professional cooling and heating system services in Chicagoland will make sure that your HVAC is in excellent condition, and always operating cost-effectively and efficiently throughout the year.
During a regular inspection, your local HVAC expert will check that the ductwork is in good condition and evaluate the overall condition and performance of the system. If something is amiss with the system, that could be causing it to operate inefficiently, then it’ll be identified during the inspection.
Just a little regular maintenance and adjustments each season can go a very long way to keeping your home perfectly warm in the winter and refreshingly cool in the summer.By catching small problems before they escalate into much bigger issues, not only will you restore your HVAC back to perfect condition, but you’ll save a considerable sum on repairs.
By enlisting the help of maintenance and inspection HVAC services in Westmont IL and getting creative with your HVAC hacks, you can stay on top of your system’s heating & cooling performance.
Come rain or shine, if your HVAC system is working as efficiently as possible, you can look forward to a home that maintains the best temperature for optimum home comfort – without costing you a fortune!
