Have you noticed odd noises coming from your HVAC? Or, maybe the air conditioner does not cool or warm your space uniformly as before?
These are just a few signs of HVAC inefficiencies. Most of the issues have a cause: blocked filters, excessive heat transfer, wrong thermostat settings, or a blown-fuse, to mention a few reasons.
The sooner you establish HVAC underlying issues, the better. This allows you to have the problem rectified before it gets more costly.
How do you improve HVAC efficiency? Here are some tips.
1. Change the Filters Regularly
One of the major causes of poor HVAC functionality is blocked filters.
Clogged filters will force your equipment to use more energy to regulate the temperature in your home. Moreover, the trapped dust may damage other parts of the system, such as the motor. In return, this slows down the HVAC system and results in significant power wastage.
Cleaning or replacing the filters regularly will help you avoid such problems before they get out of hand.
2. Preserve the Unit’s Air Flow
Keeping your HVAC unit clean and free from leaves and debris is the best way to preserve airflow. You should also ensure that the air vents are not blocked by furniture.
In return, this gives the system a more leisurely time determining how much heating or cooling the air needs.
3. Insulate Your Home
Insulation helps toy to preserve the valuable air in your house while preventing cold or warm air from outside from getting in.
If you have hot or cold air getting into your house, the HVAC system will be required to work harder than necessary to maintain the right air temperature.
You can prevent this by insulating your home, which you can achieve by closing the doors and windows when running the HVAC and ensuring that the attic and walls insulation is still in its best shape.
4. Invest in Automated Thermostat Control
Everyone has at some point left home without turning down the thermostat.
Perhaps you were in a rush to get to the office, and it only hit you when later in the day you left the thermostat on. Such mistakes result in a lot of power wastage, but you can avoid the mishap by getting programmable controls.
The automated system controls the thermostat and lights such that you can program it to put the thermostat on and off at your preferred schedule.
The programmable thermostat reduces the demand for cooling and heating and can help you save up to 15% on your annual energy bills.
5. Upgrade Your HVAC Unit
There are times when no repairs can improve the efficiency of your system. Maybe it is too old and has already sustained irreparable damages. In such a case, upgrading to a more efficient system is the best way to improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and air quality.
You can check out blogs on the internet detailing some of the signs that it is time to replace your HVAC so you can make a sound decision.
6. Get Quality Toe Space Grill
Ensure your floor HVAC vents are adequately covered for maximum air deflection and airflow control by getting toe space grilles. Thus, the system promotes air diffusion, giving the HVAC an easier time when cooling or warming the air in your space.
Also, a good quality floor register can adjust the airflow by closing or opening flaps, which you cannot get from the standard air vent.
7. Regular Maintenance
Even the highest quality systems reach a point of breakdown. Nonetheless, you can maximize your HVAC’s efficiency and lifespan by investing in its maintenance.
Some maintenance requirements are easy, and you can handle them on your own. However, it is recommendable to schedule an annual expert maintenance service for in-depth inspection to ensure that the system is in its best working condition.
The experts have the skills and tools required for a thorough inspection and maintenance, which can save you money in the long run as you will not have to spend on expensive repairs.
8. Consider Retrofitting
Every day comes with new technological advancements, and it is up to you to take advantage of this to personalize your HVAC to your liking. Retrofitting allows you to add new features to your old air conditioner to ensure that it is up to date.
If you are tired of fixing your old HVAC and you are not in a position to get a new one, retrofitting is the perfect plan for you.
You can retrofit your system if it is well-maintained, used regularly, and it is energy-intensive. Adding or replacing some features helps you save up to 35% of your annual energy cost, not to forget that it improves your home’s comfort by ensuring consistent temperature.
9. Switch Off Electronics When Not in Use
Always power down electronics such as media systems and computers when not in use.
Such appliances emit a lot of heat and end up giving the HVAC a hard time trying to cool the air down.
Switching off the electronics when not in use increases energy efficiency. This is because less heat is generated in the house. The air conditioning unit will require less power to regulate temperature, hence increase energy efficiency.
10. Make Sure the Economizer Is in its Best Working Condition
The Economizer is responsible for ensuring the high efficiency of the HVAC. But it may fail to give you the expected results.
It could be that it has slipped its link or entails faulty controls. Confirm that it is working correctly by checking any quick fixes such as unfinished wood or string. You may also have an expert technician come over for inspection to avoid leaving anything to chances.
Save on Energy Bills By Improving Your HVAC Efficiency
Besides enhancing your home’s air quality and comfort, HVAC efficiency helps you save a lot on energy bills. Every homeowner strives to reduce monthly expenses, and this is the chance for you to register the highest cut down with a properly working HVAC system.
Check out more articles on our site on how to improve your home.
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