All homeowners would like to enjoy seeing lower monthly utility bills during the sweltering summer months, however, unless you practice energy efficiency in your home, your utility bills will remain high month after month. With that said the folks here at South Nashville Heating & Cooling Co. want to share some important tips for an energy efficient home.
- Start by upgrading your thermostat to a programmable one – According to Energy Star homeowners can save near to $175 a year by investing in a programmable thermostat because it will allow you to automatically adjust the temperatures in your home all day and all night which, over time saves you both energy and money. You are able to set one temperature for when you are away during the day, and another temperature to automatically kick on when you are set to arrive back at home later in the day or early evening.
- Seal the air ducts in your home – Nearly 25% of the air that moves through your HVAC system’s ductwork is lost by either poorly connected ducts or by way of leaks. When this happens, your cooling system has to work a whole lot harder and longer to provide your living space with appropriate temperatures because the cool air is able to seep out through the leaks or poor connections. The harder and longer your HVAC system has to work to provide comfortable cooling temperatures in your home, the higher your utility and energy bills are going to be. The most effective way to prevent this problem from happening is to have a professional inspection of your HVAC ductwork performed to ensure there are no poor connections or leaks. If problems are identified, HVAC specialists are able to seal the ductwork and provide effective solutions so that the air can no longer seep out.
- Close your blinds or shutters in the hot summer months – As obvious as this sounds, closing your blinds and shutters during the summer season can reduce your energy bills and heat gains by nearly 45% because they keep the sunlight out of your living space. By preventing sunlight from entering your home, less heat is allowed in, which means your AC system does not have to work as hard or as long to keep your home and family cool during the hot summer months. The less time your system is running, the more an energy efficient home, you will have and the more money you will save over time
- Be sure your water heater is set to the right temperature – The majority of water heaters should be set to a temperature that does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. For every 10 degrees that you lower your hot water heater you will see your home energy costs reduced by as much as 4-5%. Simply look for the thermostat on your hot water heater and adjust the temperature to satisfy your individual needs.
- Perform preventative maintenance to your HVAC system – Since more than half of the energy you use in your home is from the use of your HVAC system, you want to be sure to have your cooling system routinely maintained. Routine maintenance will not only improve your energy bills, but will save you on costly repairs over time. Proper routine maintenance involves changing out your air filters regularly (usually every three months), leaving all the vents open in your home so that you are not creating pressure in the ductwork forcing your system to work harder, and ensuring that you schedule your annual routine maintenance.
We hope these tips help you to enjoy a more energy efficient home this summer. And don’t forget, whether you need to schedule your routine HVAC maintenance, or if you are in need of any other HVAC products or services, be sure to reach out to the highly reputable team of professionals here at South Nashville Heating & Cooling. We look forward to serving you with all your HVAC needs, whether winter, spring, summer or fall.