Tips to Reduce Heat & Lower Energy Bills this Spring

HVAC System Maintenance Tips To Reduce Heat And Lower Energy Bills This Spring

When the temperature starts rising in the spring, your HVAC system turns into overdrive to make sure you and your family are comfortable all spring. Cooling systems work hard for months, working even harder and costing you more money in energy costs if they are not running at maximum efficiency.

The following HVAC system maintenance tips will help keep your home cool, resulting in lower energy bills in the spring.

HVAC Maintenance Services

Properly maintaining your HVAC system can make a huge difference in how well it runs, and what your electricity bills look like. If you let it go years without being checked, avoid swapping out your filters, and never give it a good clean, you’ll quickly see your bills skyrocket, and you’ll hear your HVAC system running constantly.

Have your HVAC system inspected at least once a year during the spring or fall. These are the slower seasons so you can avoid the rush that comes with people realizing their systems don’t work when they need it most. A good tune-up will do everything from checking carbon monoxide levels and inspecting filters to evaluating the machine for wear to ensure it will continue to run well.

Resealing Windows, Doors

Drafty windows and doors can force your cooling systems to work harder and less effectively. Over time, this will lead to significant increases in utility expenses and a decrease in the life of your HVAC units. Applying weather stripping can be a short-term

solution to plug up major leaks, but sealing windows and doors in your home will prevent drafts and seal hot or cold air in your home.

Insulation Upgrades

Installing the proper amount and kind of wall and roof insulation throughout your home is the biggest hidden factor that can retain cool temperatures and get your HVAC systems operating at maximum efficiency. Improperly insulated homes will lose a significant amount of cooling generated from systems through leaks in your home’s insulation.

Some homes are now built with insulated concrete forms that use concrete blocks and interior insulation to completely block air from entering or leaving the building. For all other homes, having proper insulation is needed to control the airflow in the home, leading to a sizable reduction in the amount of cold loss, resulting in greater savings on energy bills.

Keeping Humidity At a Constant

Winters are the driest time of the year. Air thins out, and with it goes a lot of what can make a home feel warm and comforting. When a property’s humidity drops below 45%, there’s a star contrast in what cooling bills look like, even if you’re trying to achieve the same temperature.

This logic makes sense for anyone who’s traveled between humid areas and deserts. Eighty degrees in a moisture-rich area like St. Cloud Minnesota is going to feel hotter than 80 degrees in a dry area like western North Dakota.

The heat your body senses will differ with humidity, which brings perks like better skin and hair and a lower electricity bill.

Replace Air Filters

One of the quickest, cheapest, and easiest ways to prepare your home’s cooling system for the spring is to replace the air filters throughout your home. If they are doing their job, air filters will accumulate dirt, dust, and other debris that will build up over time, preventing them from reaching your air ducts and the rest of the home.

A thorough cleaning will remove the dirt from the air filter, but you will lose some of the insular properties of the filter and the material will wither away over time. The best way to ensure proper protection before the controlled air reaches the ducts is to replace the air filters. Regular checks on their condition throughout the spring will ensure maximum efficiency until the warmer weather arrives.

Smart Thermostat

Recent advances in smart home technology allow homeowners to control their home’s operational systems remotely and digitally to maximize efficiency. Smart thermostats offer greater control over the temperature remotely, with customized features to automate your cooling system.

Keep the units idle throughout the day when no one is home and have it turn on with enough time to cool your home by the time you return. This flexibility and control will save wear and tear on your HVAC systems and save a good deal of money on monthly cooling bills during the spring.

Contact an HVAC Professional

The best way to ensure your home is ready to handle the rising temperatures is to contact a qualified HVAC professional for an inspection and any needed repairs like County Comfort Home Solutions.