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How to Save HVAC Energy When It’s Hot Outside

HVAC efficiency is all about having your heater and air conditioner operate less. It will not only help you save money on your bills, but it will also allow the equipment to keep running longer and reduce your maintenance costs, saving you money in the long run. Along with the financial benefits, HVAC efficiency is also environmentally friendly. The less you allow the heat and air conditioning unit to run, the less energy you utilize.

When we reduce energy consumption, less energy must be produced, resulting in fewer carbon emissions. Carbon emissions are usually what destroy the ozone layer and contribute to the bigger problem of global warming. Since we understand that using your heater and air conditioning system less makes good common sense, it’s now time to learn how you can achieve this goal.

Start with your thermostat

The initial way for you to have your HVAC system operate less is easy and free of charge. It is merely to set your thermostat according to the season. Many energy specialists say that it’s better to set the thermostat at 78 in the summer and 69 during the winter. Therefore your HVAC unit will run less since the temperature you set is nearer to the exterior temperature. This technique costs nothing, however if you are like many people, you will neglect to switch the setting on a regular basis. So a cost-effective option is to purchase a programmable thermostat. For about $20 (higher end models, with more customization, can run much higher), you can find one and simply do the installation on your own. You can also set the temperature higher while you’re gone, helping you save additional money.

Seal up your home

Another way to further improve one’s heating and air conditioning performance would be to set up and replace insulation in your house. It is often smart to update your insulation or change it out if it is aged. Though this may cost you up-front, you can possibly obtain a nice tax credit for switching it out.

Another excellent idea is caulk the doors and windows. Changing out worn caulk or incorporating new caulk is similar to shutting a typical size window in your house. You can even install film on your windows for added efficiency. Window film obstructs the sun’s rays and maintains a lower temperature in the house during the summer. Every one of these factors put together can add up to quite a savings in addition to a sizeable tax credit.

Save HVAC energy with routine maintenance

thing that you can do to boost efficiency of the HVAC system is to have regular maintenance performed and give your system a tune-up. Keeping the system adequately taken care of will help it to perform much better. Besides saving on your energy bill it will also help you save money by reducing the need to replace the equipment as often.

With some advance planning and a little money, it is possible to significantly lower your heating and air conditioning expenditures. It’s great for you and you’ll be doing the environment a big favor as well.

At Schmitt Heating and Air Conditioning, we understand how important the HVAC industry is in terms of aiding the environment and cutting down on energy consumption. This is why we are so committed to helping out San Francisco locals with limiting their energy bills and carbon footprint, with energy savings tips.

Energy Efficiency Tips (ie. What Temperature To Set My Furnace)

Overview

We are a trusted and licensed HVAC company. In addition to providing our esteemed clients heating and air conditioning services (inspections, repairs, maintenance, installations and replacements), we regularly give our clients HVAC-relevant information through face to face interactions, as well as blogs. We give our clients home energy efficiency tips to help them reduce their furnaces’ energy consumption while receiving sufficient heat, as well as save a percentage of their utility bills. The temperature to set a furnace depends on several factors including efficiency of the furnace, loss of heat through surfaces and loss of heat through gaps on surfaces

Furnace-related energy efficiency ideas

Lower furnace’s temperature degree or switch it off

Furnace users can save a significant amount of energy by lowering their furnace temperature degree or switching the furnace off when premise/ rooms are not in use. To enjoy warm air, people should wear warm clothes or cover themselves with heavy/ warm clothing to complement the heat emitted by the furnace. Running the furnace at high degree increases energy consumption, and does not necessarily ensure indoor air warmth. Furnaces should be switched off when premises are not in use since no warm air is required.

Clean, repair or service furnace parts

Dirty filters, clogged/ blocked vents, and damaged furnace parts reduce the efficiency of a furnace; resulting in high consumption of energy to keep the air warmed sufficiently. Furnace parts’ repairs, cleaning or replacement should be scheduled to prevent furnace inefficiency. Premise owners may be able to do some of the furnace parts’ servicing, such as filter replacement, but advanced servicing requires professional HVAC intervention.

Insulate surfaces and seal drafts

Furnace’s energy consumption may also be saved by insulating walls, floors, roofs, doors and windows with materials that do not allow conduction of heat to the exterior of those surfaces. Insulating such surfaces ensures that the already accumulated indoor heat does not escape, and that the furnace can be operated at a lower degree to provide the needed warmth. Drafts cause warm air to escape, therefore, requiring the furnace to be run at a high degree and for long to keep indoor air warm. Sealing those drafts ensures maintenance of the heated air indoors; eliminating the need to run the furnace at a high degree or longer than necessary.

Conclusion

People can enjoy ample heating of their indoor air while saving energy and utility bills. While some home energy efficiency tips can be implemented by premise users at no cost, some tips need professional HVAC servicing. Call us for all your HVAC needs.