It's traditional to make resolutions at the start of a new year, so now is the perfect time to plan some strategic changes that can help you save money and enjoy a healthier, more comfortable home. Here are five HVAC resolutions that can help lower your energy bills, increase your comfort level and improve the quality of the air your family breathes all year long.
Schedule semi-annual HVAC system maintenance. Keeping your HVAC system well maintained with spring air conditioner and fall furnace tuneups not only improves energy efficiency, but also helps prevent costly breakdowns and prolongs the equipment's service life.
Inspect and change the air filter monthly. A dirty filter restricts adequate airflow through the HVAC system, which makes the equipment work harder and erodes efficiency. A clogged filter also lets debris build up inside the system, which will eventually cause breakdowns and premature component failures.
Use the thermostat wisely. Make sure you take full advantage of the potential energy savings offered by your programmable thermostat in 2016 by scheduling daily temperature setbacks. Programming in automatic eight-hour setbacks while you're sleeping or away from home can reduce your energy consumption by 1 percent for every single-degree temperature change.
Seal and insulate the ductwork. Leaky, uninsulated ducts can rob you of up to a third of your HVAC system's output and significantly increase your energy bills. Having an HVAC professional seal the air ducts not only saves you money, it prevents unhealthy contaminants from being drawn in from unfinished areas like the attic, crawl space and garage.
Boost air quality by adding a filtration unit. Replacing the HVAC air filter on a regular basis can protect your equipment, but this type of filter isn't designed to remove the microscopic pollutants that can adversely affect your family's health. To help everyone in the household breathe easier in the new year, talk to an experienced professional about installing an air purifier or air cleaner on the HVAC system.
For expert help putting New Year's HVAC resolutions into effect in your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “ufuk sezgen/Shutterstock”