Improving Your Home's Energy Efficiency

With the cost of living going nowhere but up, an energy-efficient home is one of the most effective ways to help cap your monthly heating and cooling budget.

If you're interested in taking steps to make your energy budget stretch further, here are some helpful tips from HVAC repair technicians to help you take measurable actions.

Replace Your Thermostat- Old or malfunctioning thermostats can contribute to higher energy costs for several reasons. If you've noticed that your HVAC system turns on and off frequently, uneven temperatures, or troubles with it powering up, these could be reliable indicators that it's time for a replacement. Today's modern thermostats offer more controls and setting options to ensure your home stays at a comfortable temperature.

Move Heat Generating Objects Away From Your Thermometer- Your thermometer reads the overall temperature of your home. Any heat-generating objects placed near your thermostat can cause false or higher than expected readings. If you have lamps, lights, computer equipment, or television within proximity of your thermostat, moving them away aids your thermometer in getting a more accurate reading.

Change Your Air Filters Frequently- Clean air filters in your HVAC system help to ensure an even air exchange. Blocked or dirty filters prevent fresh air from passing through, which impacts the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Any time your heating and cooling system has to work harder, the higher your energy bill is likely to be.

Block Direct Sunlight With Shades, Drapes, Or Window Film- During the hot summer months, direct solar heat raises your indoor temperature. Drawing your shades, drapes, or installing UV protective window film all help to block sunlight. As you can imagine, the cooler you can keep your home, the less your air conditioning unit has to work.

Turn Off Lights When You Aren't Using Them- While many of today's modern light bulbs are already energy-efficient, turning unnecessary lights off when not in use has a positive net effect on your monthly heating and cooling bills.

Shut Down Computers And Electrical Appliances When Not In Use- In addition to turning off lights when they aren't in use, shut down computers and other electrical appliances that aren't in use. Any extra draw for power increases your monthly energy bill.

Use Cold Water For Laundry As Often As Possible- Not surprisingly, it takes less energy to use cold water than hot water when doing laundry chores. The more frequently you use cold water, the less you need to use electricity to heat water.

If you live in Arlington, Texas, and you've noticed an unexpected increase in your energy bill, consulting with an HVAC repair technician from AC Texas can help you troubleshoot areas where you can make improvements. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.