Our HVAC system has given us the boon of either staying cool in summer or warm in winter. But the thing is, an HVAC system is one of the largest energy consumers of most homes and businesses. Reducing their energy consumption is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet.
Therefore, it becomes very important that we explore ways on how we can reduce the amount of HVAC energy used without affecting comfort!
So here we share a few simple tips to break it down.
10 HVAC Energy Saving Tips
Following are some of the best HVAC energy-saving tips from the expert team of Homestar HVAC Solutions.
1. Regular HVAC System Maintenance
Probably the most efficient method to have your HVAC system in a working state is regular maintenance. Much like a car, it will require periodic routine checks. Cleaning filters, looking out for leaks, and ensuring that everything is in operational mode and does a great deal toward wringing more energy efficiency out of the system. Dirty, grimy filters and clogged ventilation routes raise the system’s energy use by making it work harder for the required temperature.
- What to Do: Depending on the type of filter and the environment, clean or replace it every one to three months. Also, make sure vents and ducts are clear of dust and debris accumulations. A properly maintained system can reduce energy use by up to 15%. However, if you can’t afford the time, our professional HVAC maintenance services will see that it runs at peak efficiency year-round.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to change the temperature according to your preferences. The main perk of the same is; Why should the system run at full power when nobody is in the home or the building? You can save a lot of unnecessary energy usage by setting the thermostat to change temperatures at certain times.
- How It Helps: You can set the system to lower heating or cooling when you don’t need it and raise it when you are about to come home. This single act would save you as much as 10 percent of your annual energy bills.
3. Seal Ductwork Leaks
The ductwork plays an important role in the flow of air around the building. If the ducts leak, gallons of air will be wasted before reaching their destination. The HVAC will be overworking to replace the wasted air, and therefore it will also be wasting a lot of energy in doing so.
- Quick Fix: Check ductwork for leaks, especially in attics and crawl spaces. Stop leaks with metal-backed tape or mastic sealant. Proper sealing of ducts can raise system efficiency by 20-30%.
4. Adjust Your Thermostat Settings
Keeping your thermostat at an optimal temperature certainly does a lot of good in terms of energy savings. All too often, many people tend to jack up the thermostat in winter and really crank down the temperature in summer. Making that balance at a comfortable setting is where the fat of energy consumption is more often cut.
- Best Practice: Set your thermostat to 24-26°C or 75-78°F during summer when you are at home, while setting it a degree or two higher when you’re away. During winter, set your heating to 18-20°C, which is 64-68°F. Every degree can make all the difference, potentially leading to savings in energy use of as much as 3% for each degree.
5. Improve Insulation
A well-insulated house or building is quite important to let the HVAC system work smoothly. It preserves heat indoors during the winter and outdoors during the summer. Less strain is placed on the system when insulation is done correctly. Poor insulation, on the other hand, forces the HVAC to work overtime in maintaining a comfortable temperature and thus consumes more energy.
- Pro Tip: Insulate your attic, walls, and floors. Use weather stripping on the windows and doors to prevent drafts. Just by making minor adjustments in insulation, you can save up to 20% of energy consumption.
6. Put in Energy-Efficient Windows
Windows are among the major causes of energy loss in buildings. More so, single-pane windows tend to leak heat out in winter and during summer. In contrast, energy-efficient windows serve in regulating and maintaining intended internal temperatures, thereby lowering the demand on your HVAC.
- Improvement Tip: Replace old windows with new double or triple paned, low-E coated, and argon gas filled. By doing these improvements, the house becomes more comfortable as heat transfer is reduced and energy consumption is minimized.
7. Use Ceiling Fans Wisely
When used properly, ceiling fans add much to your HVAC system. They circulate air around the entire room, keeping you cooler in summer or warmer in winter without having to rely on your HVAC system.
- Summer Tip: Operate ceiling fans counterclockwise in summer to draw hot air up and create a cooling sensation. This, in turn, may enable one to raise the thermostat setting as much as 4°C without a drop in comfort.
- Winter Tip: To force warm air from the ceiling downward in the winter, run ceiling fans on low speed in a clockwise motion.
8. Consider Upgrading Your HVAC System
If you have an HVAC system in your house that is more than 10-15 years old, it’s probably time to replace it. The difference between the energy efficiency of modern systems and the one 10-15 years old is huge. New HVAC systems come with such energy-saving options as variable speed motors, smart thermostats, and better efficiency in general.
- Why Upgrade?: Replacing an HVAC is extremely expensive, but saves lots of money on energy consumption over time. Look for a high rating in SEER or Energy Star certification for most savings possible.
9. Reduce Heat Load from Appliances and Lighting
Appliances and lighting can add a lot of heat to your interior, which in turn forces your HVAC to work even harder in setting it back down. It is consequently easy enough to help reduce the workload on your HVAC system by simply reducing the amount of heating inside.
- How to Do It: Utilize energy-efficient LED lighting that produces minimal amounts of heat. Avoid the use of heat-generating appliances such as ovens and dryers at the hottest parts of the day. Use energy-efficient appliances that produce less heat.
10. Take Advantage of Natural Ventilation
Opening windows and doors during cooler months or days allows fresh air in and circulates it, keeping your house comfortable without using energy.
- When to Use It: It is best during morning and evening hours when temperatures are low. It enhances the airflow with the help of ceiling fans or window fans.
Conclusion
Reducing your consumption of HVAC energy does not have to be painful or prohibitively expensive. With a few simple changes, such as sealing ductwork, adjusting your thermostat, or improving insulation, you will easily reduce energy use, lower your expenses, and help the environment.
If you are in need of professional HVAC installation, repairs, or upgrades, let our team be the one to assist and walk you through. We design customized solutions that maximize efficiency and comfort, ensuring that one enjoys a system that works better and costs less to operate.