You can take many proactive steps to save on your energy bills, but they will only do much good if you have regular maintenance done. This includes routine inspections and cleanings.
Keeping your HVAC system clean can significantly reduce its utility usage and help you save money all year round.
Clean Your Vents and Ducts
Besides the obvious environmental benefits, keeping your vents and ducts clean improves indoor air quality, reduces allergies, and saves energy costs. It can also prevent dust from clogging your system, leading to costly repairs.
Make sure the power to your HVAC unit is off before cleaning. Remove wall or floor register covers to clean. Wear eye protection if you’re climbing a ladder to reach ceiling registers. Wash the metal cover in warm, soapy water to remove any buildup, then rinse and let dry.
Then, use a drill with a hose extension to vacuum out your return and supply ducts. If your ducts are dirty or you find mold or mildew, hire a professional. An HVAC contractor can also seal duct leaks to reduce energy consumption. Leaky ducts lose about 20% of heated or cooled air. Leaky ducts also contribute to dust and pollen circulation, further irritating allergies.
Turn Off the Lights
While it may seem obvious, turning off lights when you aren’t using them can save energy and money. This simple step can also help reduce carbon emissions contributing to climate change.
One light bulb left on for an hour uses about 0.4 cents worth of electricity. This estimate is based on the wattage of the bulb and the cost per kilowatt-hour at your electric company’s rate.
Saving money can be achieved by turning off lights, particularly if your home has many lightbulbs. You can save even more by using dimmers and motion detectors, which automatically turn lights on and off.
Unplugging appliances like computers, televisions, coffee machines, and rechargeable toothbrushes when they are not being used can also save energy. Additionally, unplugging items like fans can help save energy during hot and humid weather. Lastly, scheduling routine air conditioning contractor maintenance helps extend your equipment’s life and improves performance.
Change Your Air Filter
Changing your air filter is one of the easiest ways to reduce energy bills. Your HVAC system works harder when it’s trying to circulate air through a dirty filter, leading to higher electric bills.
Your filter catches pollutants but can lose effectiveness if you leave it too long. It clogs up with dirt, dust, pollen, and other clean-air assailants. When this happens, your airflow efficiency decreases.
It would help if you started replacing your filter with a new one as soon as it is clogged. Examine the dimensions of the old filter and make sure you purchase the appropriate size for your HVAC system by partially removing the old one. The size is usually printed on the cardboard filter frame. Once you have the dimensions, buy a replacement at a hardware store or home improvement center. It takes just a few minutes and can save you an average of 5%-15% per year.
