A HVAC system that’s taken care of can use much less energy than one that is not. Regularly having your HVAC system serviced can improve performance and help save you money in utility costs. Fortunately, there’s even more you can do to better your home’s energy efficiency. Here are some painless actions you can take take to improve your Winnipeg home.
- Secure any leaks around your windows and doors. Even tiny breaches can let heat or cool air escape your house. Add caulk or weatherstripping wherever you find leaks.
- Use your windows. If it’s cooler at night, turn off your air conditioning and open the windows. When you wake up, shut the windows and your curtains or blinds to keep the cooler air in and to avoid heat gain through the windows.
- Insulate your walls and attic. Insulation is generally associated with keeping your home cozy in the colder months, but it also helps you out in the warmer months. Heat is constantly seeking cooler places—like your rooms. Sufficient insulation prevents heat from passing through your attic and walls.
- Have your ducts cleaned. Air flows easier through your home when your ducts are open. That makes your air conditioner’s job less complicated.
- Ensure your ducts are accurately sealed to block air leaks and insulate them if needed. You’re losing valuable heated or cooled air if your ducts have leaks. Correctly sealing and insulating ducts is even more crucial if they are in the attic, a vented crawlspace or any other unconditioned area.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats make managing your home comfort and efficiency easy. You can automatically change your temperature when you’re not at home or when you’re sleeping while avoiding discomfort because your home’s temperature will go to normal when needed.
- If you choose not to use a programmable thermostat, avoid setting your thermostat at a lower-than-usual setting when you turn on your air conditioner. It might seem it will cool your home quicker, but the time it takes to cool won’t be changed. You’ll just cost yourself more in energy.
- Turn your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. To help keep your cooling bill inexpensive, make sure the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures is as little as possible. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% annually on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7° to 10°F from its normal setting for eight hours a day. Using a ceiling fan together with your air conditioner can let you raise your thermostat a little more. You can raise your setting by about 4°F without impacting your comfort.
- Limit heat-generating appliances near your thermostat. If you’re putting lamps, tvs or other heat generating appliances near your thermostat, it can cause your air conditioner to run longer than needed because it senses heat from these appliances and thinks your home needs cooling.
- Invest in new, energy-efficient equipment. If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping up with your home-comfort needs, call Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning for an assessment. It might be time to replace it with ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment that can cut your annual energy bill by more than $115, according to energystar.gov.
If you’re interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency, call Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning at 204-272-8128. Our experts can help you think about solutions, energy-efficient equipment or schedule a regular maintenance appointment. You can also schedule your appointment online using our online scheduler.