Besides your mortgage or rent payment, your HVAC energy consumption is most likely your next highest bill. Saving money on your heating and cooling bills may seem like a losing battle as you do not want to live uncomfortably, cold or hot, but fear not! The experts at Frank Cullen have over 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Check out these four ways to lower your HVAC costs!
Use Your Ceiling Fans
You may think your ceiling fans are only for helping cool your home in the winter, but actually, ceiling fans provide quite a bit of help to regulate your home’s temperature no matter the season. In the summer your ceiling fans help keep you cool and are much less expensive to operate than your HVAC system. But did you know that most ceiling fans have two settings on them? One for summer and one for winter. In the winter months, simply switch the direction that your fan blades are moving to blow warm air down instead of cycling it up. While ceiling fans do not change the temperature of the room, they do help move the existing air more efficiently creating a cooler or warmer effect. If you are not getting the desired room temperature effect with both your HVAC and ceiling fans, there could be an issue with your system. Rely on the experts at Frank Cullen for emergency HVAC services.
Take Care of Drafts and Leaks
One of the most noticeable home heating or cooling issues is a draft or leak. These are especially common around doors and windows. Making repairs to your doors and windows or resealing them with proper insulation and door stripping can make a huge difference in your HVAC costs. These gaps and drafts may seem small, but they can add up and cause your system to work harder, increasing your energy costs.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart or programmable thermostat is an effective way to lower your HVAC costs. These tools allow you to adjust your temperature settings when you will be using them the most. Many smart thermostats also reduce the temperature when you are not home, reducing your energy consumption. Some of these thermostats also have smartphone capabilities where you can control your temperature settings via your mobile device. This is a handy feature that allows you to keep an eye on your thermostat when you are away from home. If you are looking to install a smart thermostat in your home, contact us for professional installation.
Account for Extra Sources of Heat
Natural sunlight has a huge impact on your HVAC costs. If your house tends to absorb a lot of sunlight, increasing the temperature in your home, you are most likely to combat this by adjusting your temperature to a cooler setting, which can increase your HVAC costs significantly. Blackout curtains and blinds can help reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, reducing the need to increase your HVAC’s function. You can also avoid activities such as running the dryer or oven during the heat of the day. These activities can add a lot of extra heat to your home causing your system to work harder.
If you have tried all these steps, but find your HVAC costs to still be outstanding, contact Frank Cullen for a diagnosis. With over 30 years of experience, we offer a variety of services including HVAC repair, maintenance, and replacement to keep your home’s energy costs low. Request service today!