Four Ways to Make Your HVAC System More Energy Efficient

If you’re a homeowner, it’s important to make sure your HVAC system is as energy-efficient as possible. Keeping it energy-efficient ensures that your home stays comfortable year-round, and keeps your energy bill affordable so you don’t pay more than you should be. There are several steps you can take, such as upgrading your thermostat or HVAC system, changing your air filters, cleaning vents, and having a maintenance plan.

Consider upgrading the thermostat or HVAC system 

Four Ways to Make Your HVAC System More Energy Efficient

Image via Flickr by larsjuh

A good thermostat adjusts to the temperature settings you’ve chosen and communicates with the heating and cooling units accurately. This means the system works more efficiently. You can also adjust a smart thermostat to work harder when you’re home, but less hard when you’re gone; this keeps your home at a comfortable temperature all day and saves a lot of energy.

Change your air filters 

Changing your air filters regularly helps make your HVAC system more energy-efficient because your system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat and cool your home. In addition, changing your air filters regularly has other benefits:

• Helps you save money on your energy bills
• Keeps your HVAC system healthy
• Helps extend the life of your HVAC system

Check your air filters by taking them out and checking to see how much debris is on them. If you can’t see any light coming through the filter, it may be time for a new one.  Filters usually last 60 to 90 days, depending on the quality. Check the filter every 30 days to see if you need to replace it.

Clean vents 

If you see dust accumulating on the registers, clean them. This allows your system to push air through your house more efficiently, which saves you money over time. To clean your vents, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your HVAC system’s power.
2. Unscrew the air duct covers from the walls.
3. Clean the covers thoroughly with a brush. If they’re extremely dirty you may need to clean them with soap and water.
4. Vacuum the ducts as much as you can. You may want to rent a heavy-duty vacuum for this — most household vacuums aren’t strong enough to reach in all the crevices in the air ducts. If you want them cleaned more thoroughly, consider hiring a professional.
5. Clean the air duct covers in your ceiling. If you can’t reach them with a vacuum or screwdriver, sweep the dust with a broom. If they haven’t been cleaned in a long time, wear a dust mask to protect yourself from the dust and debris that will fall down.

Have a maintenance plan 

If you’re concerned about keeping your HVAC system maintained at all times so it stays energy-efficient, ask an HVAC professional how often you should have your system maintained, and find out if they offer any kind of maintenance plan. Maintenance plans save you the hassle of having to remember to call an HVAC company every time you need someone to check your system. Find out what the maintenance plan includes and if they’ll contact you to set up an appointment.

These are a few ways you can make your HVAC system more efficient. Having an efficient HVAC system will save you money, keep your home comfortable, and extend the life of the system.