A Guide to Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling

Did you know that about 50 percent of the energy you use inside your house actually is used for heating and cooling? This is why it is so important that we do everything we can to increase energy efficiency for this particular part of our homes. With such a large chunk of our utility bill going to heating and cooling, we can make a major impact on our monthly costs by reducing the amount of energy we need for it.

Here are some tips to help you improve the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling:

• Don’t forget about the air filter! This is one of the easiest ways to improve your energy efficiency when it comes to heating and cooling, and yet it is also one of the most often forgotten steps. Just mark it on your calendar every single month so that you don’t forget it. Some units need to be changed only as often as every three months, so be sure to find out which type of unit you have.

• Schedule regular HVAC tune-ups. Every HVAC system should have a tune-up once a year. This will not only keep it running as efficiently as possible, but also help you minimize downtime by making it possible to spot any potential problems early. Be sure to mark your tune-ups on your calendar so that you have them about the same time each year. Schedule them in the late summer or early fall right before the heat gets a heavy workout during the cold winter.

• Opt for a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is about much more than just convenience. If the settings are set appropriately for your lifestyle, you can save hundreds of dollars each year off of your utility bill.

• Check the ductwork. Have an HVAC professional make sure that the ductwork throughout your home is properly sealed. Many homeowners don’t even think about doing this, but leaky ductwork is one of the most common energy wasters inside a home. When the ducts are properly insulated and sealed, you can actually improve your heating and cooling efficiency by as much as 20 percent. In some cases, you may find that your efficiency improves even more than that! The most important ducts to check are those running through areas of the house that are not heated, like the basement, crawlspace, garage, or attic. Start by sealing them, and then install the proper insulation. Once these are sealed and insulated, start looking throughout the rest of the house. Be sure to employ an HVAC professional so that you can be sure that the sealing is done properly.

• Switch to an Energy Star certified unit. When you have a heating and cooling unit that is Energy Star certified, you know that you are getting the top of the line in energy efficiency. If your unit is more than 10 years old, then you probably aren’t getting nearly as much efficiency out of it as you could out of a newer model. More efficient equipment can save you hundreds of dollars in heating and cooling costs every year.

Of course an Energy Star certified unit is only as good as the installation of it, so make sure that you have an HVAC professional take care of this. Proper installation can actually lower your heating and cooling bill by as much as 30 percent! Spring Home HVAC will take care of all your Markham heating and cooling needs. They will help you maximize the performance of your system. Whether you need a new unit or your old one needs to be serviced, Spring Home HVAC has you covered.