Spring Tips & Tricks For Your HVAC System

Our tips for keeping your home cool in the spring and summer will help you to conserve energy and lower your bills. You can save money on energy during spring and summer by following the tips below. Many are free and can be used every day, while others are simple and inexpensive.

Get a detailed energy assessment to see where you could save the most money.

DONT LET THE HEAT IN.

Make sure that you have window coverings to prevent the heat from entering your home during the day. Black out curtains are an option. There are now UV blocking curtains in a variety of colors available too.

AVOID MAKING EXPENSIVE MISTAKES WITH YOUR THERMOSTATS

You can regulate the humidity in your home by setting your thermostat at a temperature you find comfortable. You will spend less on cooling when the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is smaller.
If you are leaving the house, make it warmer than usual, and bring the thermostat setting down when you return home and need to cool it. You can accomplish this automatically and comfortably by using a programmable thermostat.
If possible, avoid turning your air conditioner on at a colder temperature than usual. Your home will not cool any faster using this method, and you may end up spending more on unnecessary cooling.

FANS AND VENTILATION STRATEGIES

Remember to turn off your ceiling fans after leaving a room. The wind chill effect created by fans cools people, not rooms.
To remove heat and humidity from your home, use the bathroom fan when you shower or take a bath. You can also use spot ventilation in your laundry room. A fan should vent to the outside (not just to the attic) in the bathroom and kitchen.

A COOLING SYSTEM THAT RUNS EFFICIENTLY

Ensure that your cooling equipment is regularly maintained.
Do not place lamps or televisions near your air-conditioning thermostat. Heat is detected by the thermostat from these appliances, causing the air conditioner to run longer than necessary. Dust can build up in air intake vents if they are not vacuumed regularly. Furniture and other objects should not be blocking your registers.

LIGHTING & APPLIANCES

Invest in cool-running lights. You should turn off your lights when you are not in the room or during daylight hours, but avoid direct sunlight.
It is more efficient to wash full loads of dishes and clothes. Smaller loads increase energy usage.

LOWER YOUR WATER HEATING COSTS

The average home consumes about 18% of its energy for water heating. Water heaters should not be set higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding. By reducing the temperature, you can save both energy and money.