How to Improve Your HVAC Usage and Reduce Bills
Managing to pay invariably rising energy and HVAC bills causes a big dent in your wallet. But maintaining the perfect temperature during hot summers and cold winters enhances the comfort of a home.
Out of all home appliances, HVAC systems take the top spot, accounting for almost 42 percent of your total energy bills, according to energy.gov. Other expenses include hot water equipment, refrigerators and freezers, and washers and dryers.
With efficient usage, maintenance, strategic planning and smart home automation systems, energy consumption can be significantly reduced. Here are a few ways to improve HVAC usage and lower energy bills:
Switch to Smart Home devices
Installing a smart home automation system brings a string of benefits. From increased home security to trimmed energy costs, smart home services can do it all.
Programmable Thermostats: These thermostats use smart technology to develop programs that optimize energy usage by examining the resident’s presence.
The temperature can gradually be adjusted to the desired setting right before the user’s arrival and can also be set at a certain temperature for maximum saving when no one is home.
Smart Lighting: Controlling your lighting via an application, smart lighting lets you schedule the timing, brightness and colors of all your lights, helping you to reduce energy consumption.
Smart Plugs: Plugging into your regular outlets, these plugs allow you to run any wired appliance through an app by turning them into an automated device.
Upgrade to a Modern HVAC System
An older HVAC system will start operating on a low efficiency. This system runs its course in about 15 years. Along with age, it’s maintenance cost increases as well, which adds to your bills. Modern HVAC systems have a higher SEER rating proving to be efficient than the older models.
HVAC Zone
HVAC systems mostly regulate the temperature throughout the house. Places that aren’t in use, like the basement, don’t need a constant temperature. Setting up smart thermostats in the most-used rooms can help you save a ton of energy.
Regular Maintenance
Getting professional servicing done regularly is important to prevent your HVAC system from breaking down in the midst of extreme temperatures because of a sudden, unknown problem.
Regular maintenance work examines, repairs and cleans all components of the system rendering the system to operate smoothly.
Sealing
Cracks or spaces that can potentially let air out or in make HVAC systems overwork to maintain the desired temperature. Sealing up any crevices, cracks, narrow spaces and ducts around the house helps in increasing the productivity of the system and keep your bills low.
Insulation
Being one of the best energy efficiency investments, insulation is affordable and does the job keeping the heat out in summers and the cold out in winters. Effective ceiling, attic and roof insulation cuts your HVAC costs up to 20 percent. Insulation also lasts for five to six years and eliminates condensation on walls and ceilings.
Recent advancements in HVAC technologies have made them more energy efficient. Smart and practical changes help improve HVAC usage and also helps reduce your bills. Being aware of your HVAC demands can assist you to customize a plan on the usage of HVAC systems and other energy appliances. This in-turn reduces your overall energy consumption and saves you a large sum of money.
