A HVAC system that’s taken care of can use fewer resources than one that is not. Regularly having your HVAC system serviced can improve performance and help save you money in electric costs. Luckily, there’s even more you can do to boost your house’s energy efficiency. Here are some painless steps you can take to improve your Rapid City home.
- Seal any leaks around your windows and doors. Even small cracks can let heat or cool air disappear from your house. Add caulk or weatherstripping wherever you find leaks.
- Use your windows. If it’s cooler when the sun goes down, turn off your your HVAC system and open the windows. After you get up in the morning, shut the windows and your curtains or blinds to keep the cooler air in and to prevent heat gain through the windows.
- Insulate your walls and attic. Insulation is usually equated with keeping your home cozy in the cold season, but it also helps you out in the summer. Heat is constantly working toward cooler places—like your rooms. Sufficient insulation stops heat from going through your attic and walls.
- Have your ducts cleaned. Air moves easier through your home when your ducts are uncluttered. That makes your air conditioner’s job less complicated.
- Make sure your ducts are correctly sealed to stop air leaks and insulate them if necessary. You’re losing valuable heated or cooled air if your ducts have leaks. Properly sealing and insulating ducts is even more important if they are in the attic, a vented crawlspace or any other unconditioned room.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats make managing your home comfort and efficiency simple. You can automatically move your temperature when you’re away from home or when you’re sleeping while avoiding discomfort because your home’s temperature will return to normal when needed.
- If you choose not to use a programmable thermostat, avoid setting your thermostat at a chillier setting when you turn on your air conditioner. You might feel like it will cool your home at a faster rate, but the time it takes to cool won’t be affected. You’ll only cost yourself more in energy.
- Make your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. To help keep your cooling bill inexpensive, make sure the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures is as little as possible. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% annually on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7° to 10°F from its average setting for eight hours a day. Using a ceiling fan in partnership with your air conditioner can let you raise your thermostat a little more. You can raise your setting by about 4°F without changing your comfort.
- Limit heat-generating appliances near your thermostat. If you’re placing lamps, tvs or other heat generating appliances near your thermostat, it can cause your air conditioner to run for too long because it senses heat from these appliances and thinks your home needs cooling.
- Invest in new, energy-efficient equipment. If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping up with your home-comfort needs, call Precision Mechanical for an evaluation. It might be time to replace it with ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment that can cut your annual energy bill by more than $115, according to energystar.gov.
If you’re interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency, call Precision Mechanical at 605-206-3766. Our team can help you think about solutions, energy-efficient equipment or schedule a regular maintenance appointment. You can also schedule your appointment online using our online scheduler.