Friday, March 29, 2013

Heating And Air Conditioning Efficiency


Heating and air conditioning efficiency is all about getting your heater and air conditioner to run less. Not only will it save you money on your utility bills, but it will also make the equipment last longer and cost less to maintain, saving you even more money. In addition to the monetary benefits, heating and air conditioning efficiency is also good for the environment. The less you let the heat and air conditioning unit run, the less energy you use. By using less energy, less energy has to be produced, which means less carbon emissions. Carbon emissions are what destroy the ozone layer and lead to huge problems like warming of the earth. So we know that using your heater and air conditioning less is a good idea, now its time to find out how to accomplish this goal.

The first way to make your HVAC systems run less is simple and free. It's simply to set your thermostat based on the season. Most energy experts say that it's best to set your thermostat on 78 in the summer and 69 in the winter. This means your system will run less because the temperature you set is closer to the outside temperature. This method is free, but if you're like most people, you'll forget to change the setting regularly. So an inexpensive option is to buy a programmable thermostat. For around twenty dollars, you can get one and easily install it yourself. You can even program it higher while you are away, saving you even more money.

The next best way to improve your heating and air conditioning efficiency is to install and replace insulating materials in your home. It's always a good idea to upgrade your insulation or change it if it's old. Not only will you save more money, but as an added bonus you can actually get a nice tax credit for making the switch. Another great thing to do is caulk the windows and doors. Replacing worn caulk or adding new caulk is like shutting an average size window in your home. You can also install window film on your windows. Window film blocks sunlight out and keeps the temperature in your home lower in the summer. All of these things combined can add up to a nice savings as well as a substantial tax credit.

The last thing you can do to improve the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system is to have them regularly maintained and "tuned up." Keeping your system properly maintained helps it to run easier and kick on less. Not only does this help you save on your power bill, but again, it allows you to save money by not having to replace the system components as frequently.

With a little bit of money and some planning you can drastically reduce your heating and air condition expenses. It's good for you and the environment.

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