There are few things more satisfying as a homeowner than opening up your utility bill each month to be pleasantly surprised by how much you’ve lowered your energy usage. If you’d like to be one of the millions of Americans who are taking the conservation of power seriously, there are a number of ways you can save.
Tips You Can Use
- Schedule a tune-up — It’s important to schedule your AC unit for its annual tune-up. An HVAC professional will be able to ensure that the system is running at its highest possible efficiency.
- Replace your thermostat with a programmable model — If your home’s heating and cooling is still being controlled by a manual thermostat, you’re most likely wasting energy. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the times in which your HVAC equipment is in operation, in addition to other energy-saving functions.
- Upgrade to equipment backed by Energy Star — Energy-efficiency technology has really advanced in the past decade. If your heating or cooling unit is beginning to show its age, it may be time to upgrade to a newer unit, which will be more efficient. For the best results, look for the Energy Star Most Efficient label.
- Ensure professional installation — Installing a new piece of equipment is a risky affair, because if you do so improperly, you may lose up to 30 percent of its efficiency.
- Switch out your system’s air filter — If the air filter in your HVAC equipment is doing its job, it will get clogged up rather quickly. This dilutes its effectiveness and the efficiency of the system. The general rule is to replace it once a month, especially during the summer when you’re more likely to use the equipment.
- Seal your home’s ducts — Air leakage in your home’s ductwork occurs over time due to tears and holes. Sealing these problem areas can improve your system’s efficiency by up to 20 percent.
For more expert energy-saving tips or any other questions you may have about home comfort, contact the professionals at Gentry Heating, Inc. We’ve been serving the needs of Buncombe, Henderson and surrounding areas since 1963.
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