Upgrade Your HVAC System Without Breaking The Bank
Every month you pay your energy bills, and there is a good chance that a large portion of those bills comes from your HVAC system. Improving the efficiency of your system can put a decent dent into that bill, but only if you don't spend every penny getting there. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your system's efficiency without spending a small fortune.
Fix Leaks
Modern homes are designed to be airtight. This prevents your nicely conditioned air from escaping. Sadly, over time, the seals around your windows and doors will start to fail, allowing the outside air to find its way in. You've probably experienced this in older homes where you can literally feel a breeze near the windows and doors.
This problem is one of the cheapest and easiest to solve. Just head to your local home improvement store and pick up some caulk, plastic window covers, and rubber stripping. The rubber stripping is a good solution for doors and windows you need to continue using, but the plastic sheets and the caulk will create a better seal in cases where you can do without. Simply follow the directions on each product to ensure proper installation. You will need to redo these solutions each year until it is time to replace the windows with new, better sealing windows.
Perform Regular Maintenance
If you never changed your oil, it wouldn't be all that surprising if your car broke down. Somehow, people think that their air conditioner and heater will continue to function without any effort from them. Over time, the heat will have to run longer to maintain the temperature, and the air conditioner will freeze up and start pumping out warm air instead of cold. However, long before that, your energy bills will start to rise as the system stops working efficiently.
Most HVAC technicians will offer regular maintenance packages for spring and fall at a discount. As an additional bonus, using this maintenance schedule will ensure that you don't have a nasty surprise the first time you turn on your heater our AC for the season. If you feel up to the task, you can perform some of the basic cleaning and maintenance yourself, but getting deep into the electronics and mechanical components should be left to a professional. As with most appliances, trying to fix these things yourself will often result in a much higher repair bill if you make a mistake than what you would have paid for the basic maintenance alone.
Set The Thermostat Correctly
Another simple task is to upgrade your thermostat to a digital or smart model, and then set it to the correct temperature so that your system runs at maximum efficiency. For every degree you set your thermostat closer to the outdoor temperature, you can save as much as 1% of your heating or cooling costs. By using a programmable or smart thermostat, you can set this to occur automatically when you are at work, so you do not even notice a change in your comfort level.
Even better, a smart thermostat is programmed to help you decide what temperature to set your home to in order to maximize these savings. While most systems can be installed by anyone, you may want to consult with your HVAC tech about a good model to purchase if you do not have a forced air system, as the thermostat will need to take additional factors into its calculations.
Upgrading your HVAC system does not have to cost a lot of money. By making simple changes, you can create a home that is comfortable and saves you money each month on your energy bills. For more information, check out a specialist's website, such as http://www.capefearair.com.