Here in Las Vegas, the summer months bring with them the joys of warm weather activities and holiday fun, but they can also stick you with a hefty energy bill that will leave you wishing you had moved to the Yukon every time the hot weather rolls around. HVAC maintenance and having the most energy-efficient system possible both can take the bite out of your bills.
HVAC Energy Savings Tips
Here are a few tips for saving some money on your air conditioning when you can’t afford not to run it:
1. Seal Heating and Cooling Ducts
Any point where refrigerated air is moving from one location to the next is an opportunity for losing money. A simple fix that can save you a decent amount of energy and money is by sealing up all your heating and cooling ducts. Use metal-backed tape to cover any cracks in the duct, as well as to reinforce any joints. Occasionally, hunting for small leaks in your heating and cooling ducts will reveal a major gap or hole that needs to be addressed. Finding such a problem is crucial to saving energy and money in heating and cooling your home.
2. Change Your Air Filter
Maintaining clean and clear air filters will decrease the overall wear and tear on your equipment, thus saving you money. When air filters become dirty, the HVAC units have to work harder to pull air through their vents, wasting power and even draining the life of the HVAC sooner. New air filters also prevent dirt from slipping into the vents and damaging the HVAC unit. Generally, you should change your air filter about once a month or if it looks dirty and in need of a replacement. This is one of several maintenance checks you can do to keep your unit running well.
3. Upgrade Your HVAC Unit
HVAC energy savings can be tough with an old unit. Newer HVAC units are, in the long run, much cheaper than trying to maintain an old one. Especially during hot months, your HVAC unit may be running continually, making the need for a reliable unit even more important. Look for an HVAC that produces the most air and circulation without eating up too much energy.
4. Get a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow you to control your HVAC unit remotely at any time. This is particularly useful if you travel quite a bit. Any time you’re not at home, with the click of a button you can reset the temperature, leaving it warmer when you’re not there and cooled down by the time you return. You can also preset the thermostat to make the air conditioning engage until a certain time of day.
5. Install Insulation to Increase HVAC Energy Savings
Even following the suggestions above, you can still generate a high energy bill if your home is not well-insulated. Investing in insulation will decrease the workload and strain put on your HVAC, making your air conditioning unit last longer. An area some people overlook is the attic. If your attic isn’t insulated, you are losing money hand over fist. Another way you can insulate your home is by purchasing insulated windows. Any insulation helps the wear and tear on your HVAC unit.
Call The Cooling Company
HVAC cost and efficiency don’t have to be a stress point in your life, however, if you properly maintain your unit during the offseason and set your home up for success. To save even more money and for all your HVAC needs, contact The Cooling Company at (702) 567-0707. You can also use The Cooling Company’s online energy efficiency calculator to help you compare different HVAC units for maximum efficiency!
