Simple HVAC Maintenance Tips That Will Save You Money in the Long Run

Shockingly enough, heating and cooling account for about 48% of all energy use in the typical U.S. home. In order to cut down on your heating and cooling bills, here are some simple HVAC tips to follow.

A programmable thermostat
Think about all the time you are not in your home. During these hours, your heating and cooling system is still working, even though no one is home! To prevent wasted energy and a high bill, invest in a programmable thermostat where you can set times for the heat and air conditioning to run when you can actually enjoy it.

Follow the rule of threes
If you cannot put a programmable thermostat in your home, no worries. All you have to do is follow the rule of threes, which means that for every degree you raise your thermostat, there will be a 3% increase in energy use. This means that the lower your thermostat is, the less energy you will use.

Open up your windows and blinds
Yes, it is really that simple! Take advantage of the daylight and let the sun shine into your home. You will soon feel the warmth from all the natural light around you. Just open those blinds and curtains and leave the sun to do all the work.

Insulate
There are a lot of different entryways into your home that can leak, which can cause a cold draft to sneak its way in. Always use insulating caulk around doorways and windows, and make sure to double check these areas:

• Baseboards
• Entryways to attics and crawlspaces
• The area around plumbing fixtures
• Electrical sockets
• Air vents

Don’t forget your filter
A dirty filter will cause your HVAC system to have to run longer and less efficiently. You will want to make sure you change the filter every single month, and a good way to remember is to write in pencil directly on the filter what day you changed it. When you cannot read the date anymore, your filter needs to be changed!

Listen
We all have grown accustomed to our heating and cooling systems in the background of our home, so it can be all too easy not to notice if something sounds off. All you need to do is just simply run your machine for an hour or so and listen very carefully. If you notice something is off, just call an HVAC contractor to come check things out.

With these tips in mind, you will soon notice a decrease in your energy bill, and your wallet will thank you!