DIY Maintenance
Clean/change the air filter. If you only make one tune-up this season, clean your air filter – doing so can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by up to 15%. In the summertime, you should wash your reusable filter or replace your disposable one once per month.
Clear the area around the outdoor unit. Keep vegetation at least two feet away from the unit so it is free to pull in air. This includes raking up leaves in the fall.
Never use a higher rated MERV filter than the one you replace, unless a licensed professional tells you otherwise. The MERV rating is listed on the filter, and it will be something like 8, 11, 13, 15, or more. The higher the rating the more dust the filter collects, but the harder the system has to work. Using a higher rated filter for a system not designed to handle it is bad news.
Help Your HVAC Do Its Job
To get the most EFFICIENCY from your HVAC SYSTEM, use these general energy-saving tips. They’ll help you support your system and save energy around the house.
Get a programmable thermostat. It’s easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat than a regular one because you don’t have to think about it each time you want to change the temperature. You pre-program your settings so that the thermostat raises the temperature while you’re at work and asleep, and kicks on the air conditioning when you’re at home and awake. With “smart” programmable thermostats, you can even control the temperature from your smartphone.
Seal your heating/cooling ducts and any open spaces. Make sure doors, windows, and nooks and crannies are shut and properly sealed. The less cool air that escapes your home, the less energy you’ll waste, and more comfortable you’ll be.
Set your thermostat to your ideal temperature (not any colder). Setting the air conditioner to a colder-than-desired temperature doesn’t cool down your house any quicker – it just keeps the unit working longer than necessary. So, set it to where you want it. And remember: You save up to 1% on your yearly cooling bill every time you raise the temperature by one degree for a period of eight hours. So, set it to around 78° – after all, it is summer!
Summer HVAC Maintenance Tips to Save Energy and Money
“Many people don’t realize how quickly a dirty air filter can reduce performance and lead to energy waste in their system. Cleaning or replacing the air filter once per month will go a long way to keeping the system running well and efficiently.”The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, and nearly half of that comes from heating and cooling costs. With the summer heat ready to peak, homeowners across the country are turning their air conditioning up to full blast. But you can save electricity and avoid hefty repair bills by giving your HVAC system an annual check-up.
The best time for HVAC maintenance is right before extreme temperatures hit, so try our energy-saving tune-up tips today.