Are you looking to improve your HVAC efficiency? You’re not alone. With environmental concerns and skyrocketing energy bills in the summer and winter, more and more homeowners all over Chester County and the rest of the country are looking for energy-efficient HVAC solutions that they can use, cut consumption, and save money.
The good news is that there are plenty of things that Chester County homeowners can do to reduce their HVAC energy costs without having to sacrifice their own comfort. All it takes is a bit of extra effort and planning. So, if you want to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your HVAC energy consumption, here are a few HVAC efficiency tips every Chester County homeowner should know.
Keep Up With Regular HVAC Maintenance
Undoubtedly, one of the best things you can do to keep your HVAC systems running as efficiently as possible is to keep up with routine HVAC maintenance. Your heating and cooling systems need proper care just like anything else, and if ignored for too long, there’s no shortage of efficiency-ruining problems that can arise.
While you probably won’t be able to take care of all of these maintenance issues by yourself, all it takes is a yearly tune-up from a professional HVAC technician to ensure that your system is clean and ready to work at peak efficiency through the toughest seasons of the year.
Regularly Change Your Air Filters
One part of HVAC maintenance that any homeowner can take care of themselves is changing HVAC air filters. Most HVAC systems, including central air conditioning and heating systems, have some sort of air filter that removes dust, allergens, and other particles as they circulate air through your home.
However, over time, these filters will get clogged up, reducing the air quality in your home and making it much more difficult for your HVAC system to push air through them. Because of this, if you want to ensure that your HVAC systems aren’t working a lot harder than they should have to, you should replace your system’s air filters every three months.
Install a Smart Thermostat
There’s no quicker and easier way to give your HVAC systems a boost in efficiency than installing a smart thermostat. Unlike regular programable thermostats that only allow you to set a temperature, smart thermostats feature wifi connectivity and smart technology that allows you to better optimize how you heat and cool your home.
From tracking energy consumption and learning your schedule to strategically switching on and off when it’s most efficient, smart thermostats provide plenty of ways to cut energy consumption and save money. In fact, Chester County homeowners can expect to save anywhere from 8% to 12% on their yearly energy bills by simply installing one, making this one of the best energy-efficient HVAC solutions out there.
Replace Your Old HVAC Systems With Newer, More Efficient Models
While not nearly the cheapest option, sometimes the best thing you can do to improve HVAC efficiency is to replace your old system with a new one. HVAC technology has come a long way over the years, and with exciting innovations, including heat pumps, high-efficiency heating equipment, and more, it may surprise you just how much more efficient modern HVAC systems are than their older counterparts.
Still, deciding to replace your old HVAC systems is a big decision, and you’ll need to do plenty of research to find which type of new system is best for your home. However, if you have a decades-old HVAC system in your house, there’s no better way to make a drastic improvement in efficiency than by upgrading to more modern equipment.
Keep the Area Around Vents and Outdoor Condenser Units Clear
Outdoor condenser units are responsible for removing heat from the inside of your home. However, if these condenser units are surrounded by plants and debris, it can make it a lot harder for the heat to dissipate, forcing your cooling system to work over time.
The same goes for indoor vents. If your vents are blocked by furniture or anything else, your HVAC systems will have to work a lot hard to circulate air throughout your home. So, when it comes to vents and condenser units, make sure that they are clear of any obstructions that could reduce efficiency.
Improve Insulation and Seal Leaks and Drafts
Proper insulation is essential to HVAC efficiency. After all, the better a home holds hot or cold air, the less the HVAC systems have to work to keep the home comfortable in the first place. Whether it’s adding insulation to an uninsulated attic or basement or sealing any leaks and drafts around doors and windows, all of these efforts can go a long way to improving efficiency and reducing your HVAC energy costs.
Open and Close Your Blinds and Drapes
Windows allow a lot of natural light and warmth in, which homeowners can also use to relieve some of the pressure on their HVAC systems. In winter, keep your blinds and drapes open to let that natural warmth in, and in summer, keep them closed to keep things nice and cool for longer.
Use Fans
Utilizing fans, especially ceiling fans, is another great way to increase HVAC efficiency. These fans use much less energy than your HVAC systems and help better circulate both hot and cool air throughout your home. Of course, this is a given in the summer, but even in the winter, turning on your ceiling fans drastically improves your heating system’s ability to heat every inch of your home evenly.
Contact Chester County Fuel Oil Today
Do you want to make sure your HVAC systems are working as efficiently as possible? Give Chester County Fuel Oil a call. Their team of friendly HVAC experts specializes in installations, maintenance, and repairs and is always ready to implement energy-efficient HVAC solutions that save you money. So, don’t get caught paying too much to heat and cool your home. Call Chester County Fuel Oil Today!
