An HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit is designed to help control a home’s environmental conditions and create a comfortable space. It provides ventilation and can help control the humidity level no matter what the weather outside is like.
Of course, you want to stay comfortable without wasting energy. Many newer HVAC units have features that minimize energy consumption. [company_name] can explain how these systems work. We can also help you save money with the Mass Save program.
With any system, it’s essential that you learn how to operate your HVAC unit efficiently. Below are 10 tips to achieve a more energy-efficient HVAC system in your Canton, MA home.
1. Install Programmable Thermostats and Controls
These help you get the most out of your energy-efficient HVAC system. They enable you to automate the temperatures, so they will change their settings depending on the time of the day. Some models allow you to program different settings on weekdays and weekends. This helps take a bit of the HVAC system’s workload off. A simple temperature change during the day when you’re not home can dramatically reduce how much you’re spending on your energy bills.
2.Remove Obstructions
To ensure the right airflow, be sure your HVAC system is clear of all obstructions. This includes inside and outside vents. You’ll want to keep plants and other items away from the vents so the system can operate more efficiently. In some cases, you may want to call a professional HVAC technician to come to your home and check your outside unit for obstructions like clumps of dust, pest nests, etc.
3. Change the Filters Regularly
As you use your HVAC unit, the air filter inside becomes clogged with dust, dirt, and other forms of debris. The dirtier the filter becomes, the harder the unit has to work to perform its job. This makes you use more energy, resulting in a higher energy bill.
When the filter is changed regularly, it will help ensure that your HVAC unit maintains a clean and effective air filter, allowing it to function at peak performance. Clean filters will also improve indoor air quality.
4. Use Ceiling Fans to Circulate Air Around Your Living Spaces
As you likely know, hot air rises. Your goal here is to get the air moving to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the home. A ceiling fan can help distribute hot air in a manner that can help you save money on both cooling and heating costs.
During the hot summer months, this generally means heat collecting and stagnating in your living spaces. Unless properly circulated, this hot air does not cycle through the air conditioner, which could result in rapid cycling and a warmer house. You’ll want to have them rotate counterclockwise. This will help generate a cooling downdraft.
You also need warm air to circulate during the frigid winter months in Canton, MA. If the warm air is staying near the ceiling, your unit will have to work much harder to keep you warm. This could leave your toes cold and could also result in rapid cycling. During the winter months, you’ll want to reverse the direction of the ceiling fan and operate them at lower speeds to redistribute warm air collecting near the ceiling.
5. Insulate Your Home Properly
If your home is poorly insulated, you could be losing a lot of the conditioned air. You’ll want to trap the air (cooled or heated) that your HVAC system is producing to gain better energy efficiency. To do this, you may want to think about adding insulation to windows and walls. Typical culprits for energy loss that you may not have thought of include:
- Ducts
- Pipes
- Outlets
You can save energy by wrapping ducts and pipes in insulation. Be sure to check the R-Value. The R-value grades the insulating properties of a material. You’ll trap more conditioned air in the higher R-value.
6. Be Attentive to Maintenance
Routine maintenance will help keep your HVAC system operating efficiently, which will help maximize the energy efficiency of your system. It’s important that you schedule and keep your seasonal maintenance appointments. We will work with you to come up with the ideal appointment schedule based on your usage. Routine maintenance will also help you avoid costly repairs.
7. Seal Your House From Drafts
It’s essential that you stop air infiltration whenever you’re running your HVAC system. Air leaks in your house will rob your HVAC unit of efficiency because cooled or heated air escapes through all your home’s nooks and crannies. To eliminate drafts, you’ll want to ensure you do the following:
- Caulk the immobile parts of doors and windows
- Check that all the windows in your home are shut
- Insulate any recessed lighting
- Add weatherstrips to your doors’ and windows’ moveable components
- Check for drywall gaps and open stud cavities and seal them up
Ductwork can also be a source of drafts. If you’re feeling a draft, call us for an inspection. We perform duct cleaning and sealing.
8. Protect Your HVAC System the Sun
Excessive sunlight exposure can cause your HVAC system to use more energy in order to effectively cool your living area. You can prevent this by placing your unit in a shaded area. But you need to be careful that you don’t place it beneath shrubs or trees where its vents can become clogged, preventing proper ventilation.
9. Pay Attention to Blinds and Curtains
Keeping your blinds and curtains closed in the summertime on hot days can help keep the sun from streaming in and warming your home up. Keeping the shades drawn during the day can reduce your HVAC unit’s cooling load. On the other side of things, having them opened in the wintertime on cold days can help you warm your home up a little by letting in some natural sunlight.
10. Clearing the Condensate Drain Line
Most drain lines are either right under the inside unit or the outside condenser unit. Drain lines can become clogged, and this can lead to AC issues. Checking the drain line out and cleaning it every so often can help your HVAC system run efficiently and decrease the risk of it developing future issues. This is another maintenance service that [company_name] offers.
Need a New System? Call the HVAC Pros
If it seems like you’re suddenly using more energy or if your system isn’t working as well as it used to, it may be time for a new HVAC unit. With many models, you’ll quickly make up the initial cost with lower monthly bills. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to help the environment by using less energy.
You need a company you can trust. We’ve been in business since 2008. As a small, locally owned business, we care about our customers. [company_name] in Canton, MA can help you check for Energy Star-Rated models that comply with the stringent energy efficiency guidelines and have high SEER ratings. We also offer other services such as AC or furnace repair, plumbing services, indoor air quality product installation, and commercial HVAC. Contact [company_name] today for information or to get a free estimate.
