3 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bill & Improve Your HVAC System
The New England region gets the full four seasons of American weather, which means that we can get buried here in snow in the winter, and also swelter in our homes during hot, humid summers.
For many homeowners, this means a centralized HVAC system, with air ducts, which runs throughout most of the year to keep things either warm or cool. While that results in paying off energy bills during most months, there are some smart maintenance tips you can follow to keep those bills lower.
Get a New Thermostat
Older thermostats only do two things; switch on and off, and detect temperature changes then turn on either the furnace or AC to adjust the temperature to the setting you’ve selected.
While simple, this is not very energy efficient. New thermostats come with a huge range of functionality that can make a big difference to your savings.
On the simple side, modern thermostats are programmable so you can set specific times for your HVAC to turn on, off, or keep a specific temperature, such as keeping the AC activity to a minimum during weekdays when no one is home.
On the complex side, new “smart” thermostats, though more expensive, can actually learn the living patterns of people, and make adjustments automatically. The AC can be turned on when the oven is detected in use, and when the thermostat senses no one at home, it puts the HVAC into lower power, to save on heating and cooling bills. They can even provide you with lots of usage data, so you know exactly where and how your energy is being utilized.
Get Some Window Coverage
In the winter, a window can be a big help to your home. Windows don’t just admit light, they admit heat, so when the freezing temperatures arrive, a window admitting sunlight warms the home and gives your furnace a break.
However, in the summer, the opposite is true. Bright days during a hot summer means that even more heat is coming into your home that your AC is struggling to fight.
If you don’t want your AC working more than it should during the summer, get some drapes, curtains or even blinds for windows that get full exposure to sunlight, and cover those windows during the brightest part of the day. It will make a difference to how hot your home gets during the summer season.
Get Your Ducts Fixed
The most common HVAC configuration in New England is a central system where both the furnace and AC share the same ducts carrying processed air to every room in a home.
However, ducts are really just pipes, and whether that pipe is carrying air or liquid, it can sometimes “spring a leak.” Any leak means a drop in efficiency for your HVAC system that you pay for with higher bills every month.
Have a professional conduct an inspection, cleaning, and, if required, repairing your ducts if leaks are detected and get your efficiency back. Brookline, MA is a great place to live and can be full of fun and gorgeous sights throughout the year.
Whether you’re fighting the heat in summer or trying to stay warm in winter, be smart about using your HVAC system. With our tips, you can make sure you don’t pay more than you have to stay comfortable in your home.
