If you use a forced air HVAC system or hot water tank in your home, you may be aware of the potential problems they can have with being inefficient. You do not need to put up with high energy bills just because of the appliances you happen to have. Here are four ways that you can improve the efficiency of the HVAC system and water heater.
Insulate The Hot Water Pipes
An easy thing that can be done to cut back on energy use is to insulate the hot water pipes going to your showers, baths, and sinks. The job can be done in only a couple hours with minimal costs for materials. It involves putting foam insulation tubes around the pipes, which will prevent the heat from escaping.
The result will be water in your pipes being a little bit warmer, which will let you turn down the temperature of your water heater. It is estimated that that average homeowner will save between $8-$12 each year on hot water heating costs. If you do the work yourself, your only cost will be the materials, which are about $2 for 6 feet of foam insulation. It could easily pay for itself within a year if you have a short run of hot water pipes in your home.
Install A New HVAC Air Filter Each Month
The air filter on your HVAC system is designed to prevent contaminants from entering the air in your home, which will make the area cleaner. Unfortunately, if the filter is not changed regularly, the HVAC system will work harder than it needs to in order to push air through a dirty filter.
Air filters need to be changed every month when the system is in use. Not only will it help your HVAC system use less energy, but it puts less wear and tear on the system.
Turn On Ceiling Fans
A ceiling fan will use very little energy when compared to your HVAC system, and will cool off a whole room with ease. If you can utilize ceiling fans when the heat isn't unbearable, you'll give your HVAC system some time to rest while it is saving energy.
In the winter, ceiling fans can be switched to turn clockwise, which will help circulate the hot air at the top of the room to the bottom.
Get An HVAC Inspection
Most homeowners don't know something is wrong with their HVAC system until it stops working. Don't let it get to that point, and have your HVAC system inspected each year by a professional (like those at Krewson-Sweeney Oil Inc). They can identify leaks, perform routine maintenance, and fix small problems before they become worse.
Share1 March 2016
Hi there, my name is Shelley. Welcome to my site about electric heating systems. Electric heat has recently fallen out of favor due to the efficiency of natural gas systems. Electric heat is still suitable for small buildings that do not need the high temps provided by upgraded systems. I will use this site to explore all of the building types that can benefit from electric heating systems. I will also share information about system components, installations and repairs. I welcome you to come by often to learn more about this exciting topic. Thanks for coming by. See you soon.