Energy Efficient Heating & Air Conditioning Tips
Energy Efficiency Tips | Heating and Air Conditioning
With increasingly cold winters, and the need to save on energy costs, homeowner’s look for additional ways to save money, while reducing the global effects of climate change. The following energy efficiency tips can assist you in keeping your home warm this winter, while saving on the cost of energy, and ensuring your heating and air conditioning system’s safety.
- Ensuring the heating and air conditioning system is serviced each year by a qualified HVAC technician will ensure the safe operation and peak energy efficiency of the system, while extending its service life.
- Replacing or cleaning (if applicable) the filter each month maintains the proper performance, and prevents dirty coils and fans which can reduce the airflow throughout the system. This would adversely affect your comfort and the air quality of your home, while potentially causing damage to the heating and air conditioning system.
- The seals on duct work can loosen, allowing air leaks or even separation of pipes. Seal leaky ducts with mastic, metal backed tape or aerosol sealant. Pipes that have separated should be reconnected and sealed. Cypress’s heating and air conditioning professionals can provide the repair that you need.
- Set the thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees during the day when the home is occupied. Overnight, set the temperature at least 5 degrees cooler. When away from home for more than a few hours, set your thermostat on 55 degrees for maximum energy savings.
- A programmable thermostat will enable you to regulate your heating and air conditioning system to conform to your schedule, saving you up to 20% on energy costs.
- Use caution when utilizing ventilation fans, and close the fireplace flue as they both of these pull conditioned air from the home.
- Do not block registers or the air supply with furniture or other objects. You want to maintain adequate air supply to the heating and air conditioning system. Proper air circulation to the system ensures maximum efficiency and ensures the proper delivery of conditioned air to the home, while preventing damage to the HVAC system.
- Humidified air makes the home feel warmer, reducing the amount of heat needed and enabling you to set the thermostat lower. Consider a whole house humidification system for the greatest comfort and reduced symptoms of dry air, such as dry skin and a runny nose.
- Inside doors that tend to be closed frequently should allow for adequate ventilation. The doors require a specific gap at their bottom to ensure adequate ventilation and proper operation of the system.
- Open the drapes & shades located on south–facing windows, and allow sunlight to enter the home; close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows. The use of thick or thermal drapes can reduce drafts and the work load on your home’s HVAC system. Seal draft gaps around windows and doors to prevent drafty air intrusions.
- Consider a new energy efficient heating and air conditioning system. Today’s high efficiency equipment can save you significantly on your utility bill. Check with your local utility and electric company to see if the purchase of an Energy Star approved system can earn a rebate or tax credit, reducing your initial investment.
- Do not store or use combustible materials such as paper, chemicals, paint, rags or cleaning products near any heat source, including the furnace.
- Gas furnace flues and the chimney should be inspected annually by professionals to ensure no blockage is present. Blockage can result in devastating consequences when toxic carbon monoxide fills the home.
- If your home has gas heat or gas appliances (including the hot water heater), install carbon monoxide detectors, and change the batteries every 6 months.
Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning offers certified and experienced HVAC technicians. Our technicians provide heating and air conditioning repair, installation and maintenance with the expertise to meet or exceed the industry’s recommendations. Each year, HVAC installations are provided by inexperienced technicians who inaccurately configure the system required for a home’s individual characteristics, such as number, quality, and directional facing of windows. Our installations are accurately configured for your home’s requirements.
Our certified professionals are dedicated to providing quality HVAC services that meet or exceed the heating and air conditioning industry standards, as well as ensuring your comfort, safety and satisfaction. Our technicians are NATE certified, background checked and drug tested. We hope you found our energy efficiency tips useful. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning serve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas. We provide emergency HVAC service 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for your convenience. We are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.
