How To Reduce Energy Waste With Your HVAC Equipment

As temperatures dip into the teens and single digits, your HVAC equipment kicks into high gear to provide the heating source you need to keep warm. But as it ages, it takes more effort to keep up with the demands of keeping your indoor air supply properly conditioned. Luckily, a few proactive steps will reduce energy waste and keep your HVAC equipment operating well for years to come. 

Start with routine maintenance

Your furnace and ductwork aren’t something you can install and ignore. They work hard throughout the year, funneling properly conditioned air into each room of your home. Over time, things begin to change throughout the system. Things that a trained technician can pinpoint, catch, and repair before they escalate into bigger problems. If you don’t have a proactive maintenance routine in place, talk with one of our representatives about setting it up to keep your HVAC equipment in top condition throughout the year. 

Set the temperature and forget it

Old thermostats put you in charge of changing the temperature. Up when you’re cold, down when you’re hot – it can be a day full of navigation, especially here in Colorado, where the temperatures change frequently. Yet if you install a programmable thermostat – or upgrade to smart technology – the process can be automatic based on your daily needs. Have a warm house when you’re home, and drop the temperatures for better efficiency when you’re away. With smart technology, you can even control it all from an app wherever you have internet access.  

Optimal temperatures are …

According to the US Department of Energy, the optimal temperature during winter months is 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and 78 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months. When you’re not at home, change the temperature by as much as 10 degrees to save 5 to 10 percent a year. You can also install a zoned HVAC system that allows you to control air flow where you need it most. Keep your bedrooms cool when you’re spending time in the living space. Adjust the temperature based on where your family hangs out. It’s a great way to ensure maximum efficiency for however you use your home. 

Insulate

Even the most efficient HVAC equipment in the world won’t be optimal if your home is drafty and under-insulated. An energy audit can pinpoint problem areas and give you a plan to increase your efficiency. Because homes are always changing, it’s important to check out efficiency from time to time to ensure drafts are at a minimum, including:

• Windows are shut
• Weatherstripping is in place
• Caulk gaps and leaks around windows and doors
• Insulate recessed lighting
• Check for poor insulation in crawlspaces, attics, and drywall gaps
  

Change air filters

One of the easiest maintenance items to perform regularly is to change out your air filters. This ensures proper air flow throughout your home, without allowing dirt and other contaminates to freely circulate in the air supply, as well as back into the HVAC equipment. 

Full house walk-thru

At the start of each season, walk through your home and look for problem spots. Vents that are blocked by furniture and boxes. Curtains left open during the heat of the day. Registers filled with dust. You can also adjust ceiling fans to aid in air flow. They can be turned one way to provide a cooling effect in the summer, while pulling air flow up in the winter to circulate warm air. Both will create a more comfortable environment while you’re spending time in the room.