Cooling Tips and Tricks: Making the Most of Your HVAC System
Keeping your home cool while minimizing your energy expenditures can be a challenge. However, there are simple ways you can maximize the cool air coming from your HVAC system. Stone Heating and Air, one of the top home heating companies in the state, lists them below.
Cleaning Your HVAC System’s Filters
Your HVAC system’s filters should be cleaned or changed every three months, although they may need to be replaced sooner–at least once a month–if the HVAC system isn’t running properly.
Dirty air filters can hamper the flow of cool air from the vents, freeze up the HVAC unit’s evaporator coil and increase your cooling costs. In fact, a dusty air filter can add five to 15 percent to your energy bill!
Dusty evaporator coils can also force your HVAC system to work harder, driving up your electric bill as well as potential repair costs. That’s why it’s important to have one of your local air conditioning companies routinely inspect and maintain it.
Eliminate External and Internal Sources of Heat
Closing your curtains or lowering the blinds can block the sun’s rays, preventing solar heat from raising the temperature of your home.
You can also keep rooms at a lower temperature by switching the lights off. Only 10 percent of the electricity used by incandescent light bulbs is turned into light; the rest is converted into heat. If you need the lights on, consider switching to cooler compact fluorescent bulbs.
Turn on the Ceiling Fans
Switching on ceiling fans while the air conditioner is on can help move cool air around the room.
Close Closet Doors and Vents in Empty Rooms
A lot of cold air could be circulating in rooms that no one’s even using. You can reduce the burden on your HVAC system by closing the vents in empty rooms, as well as closets that might let in the cold air.
If your family members are usually concentrated in certain rooms, it might be better to get a zoned HVAC system, which would allow you to easily set different temperatures in different rooms. If you do decide to get one, only hire a reputable contractor from one of your local HVAC companies to install it.
Stone Heating and Air is a local HVAC contractor. To schedule an appointment with us, call (541) 203-2399 or fill out this form.
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