7 Energy-Efficient HVAC Strategies for Early Spring
As chilly winter days become rarer and the welcome warmth of early spring takes hold, you might start thinking about how you’ll keep your home cool and comfortable when summer arrives. Spring is a great time to adopt energy-efficient cooling solutions to help you save big in the hotter months ahead.
Here are seven things to implement today, courtesy of the pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.
1. Operate Ceiling Fans
If you never use your ceiling fans in the summer, you’re missing out on a terrific opportunity to increase comfort and energy efficiency. By making the room feel roughly four degrees cooler, the wind chill effect from running a ceiling fan lets you dial up the thermostat without making your home feel too hot. Keep in mind, fans cool people, not rooms, so switch them off when no one is in the room.
2. Be Smart About Windows
In terms of regulating your home’s temperature, windows can be your best friends or your worst enemies. The magic is understanding how to use them effectively based on how warm or cold it is outside:
- On cool but sunny days, raise the blinds to let the sunshine in to warm your home naturally.
- On much warmer days, open windows on opposite sides of the dwelling to produce a cooling cross-breeze. If allergies are a concern, it’s better to use your AC to stop pollen from getting in.
- On hot days, close the curtains over your south- and west-facing windows to minimize solar heat gain and postpone the need for air conditioning.
3. Cook Outside
Using the oven or stovetop increases the heat inside your home, making your cooling system work harder and use more energy. Take advantage of the stunning spring weather by transferring your cooking outdoors. Grilling is a terrific way to get some fresh air while leaving your house cool and comfortable. Additionally, when you start grilling season early, you avoid the severe heat and bothersome mosquitoes of summer.
4. Spring Clean with a Mission
Spring cleaning is a habit that provides a fresh, organized home just in time for summer weather. You may not know, but spring cleaning is also an opportunity to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. As you go through your home and freshen up, put emphasis on spaces that can impede airflow and, as a result, increase your home’s power bills. Here are some areas to tackle:
- • Clean ceiling fan blades and set them to operate counterclockwise.
- Use caulk or weatherstripping to close leaks around windows and doors.
- Clean sliding glass door tracks to minimize air leakage.
- Change the HVAC air filter to encourage optimal airflow.
- Clear out debris from around the exterior AC unit to increase performance.
- Clean the coils under or behind the refrigerator to lower the energy necessary to keep your food cold.
- Dust light fixtures and replace old incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.
5. Get Your Air Conditioner a Tune Up
A spring AC check-up prepares your air conditioner for the summer’s hot sun. Although you can do some tasks yourself, such as exchanging the air filter and clearing away obstructions from the exterior unit, only a skilled specialist can clean the evaporator coil, lubricate moving parts and top off the refrigerant. Seasonal maintenance can go a long ways to help reduce electricity usage, promote more reliable performance and lengthen your cooling system’s lifespan. Arrange service with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing in the spring so you can be sure that your system is ready to do its best when you need it most.
6. Show Your Air Ducts Some TLC
Spring is the ideal time to evaluate your home’s ductwork. Sealing and insulating the ductwork helps conditioned air get to its destination more efficiently. Then, detailed duct cleaning eliminates debris buildup, ensuring air moves smoothly in the system. These ductwork services save electricity and improve indoor air quality, making your home a more comfortable place to be during the summer.
7. Upgrade for Electricity Efficiency
Consider upgrading your HVAC system or major appliances to energy-efficient models this spring. ENERGY STAR-certified products use less energy without sacrificing performance. Upgrades necessitate an investment, but you can expect considerable electricity bill savings and a more comfortable, sustainable residence. These improvements also improve a home’s value if you ever decide to put the home on the market. Spring is the right time for HVAC updates, as contractors are generally less busy, making it easier to arrange the installation at a convenient time for you.
Count on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Your HVAC Needs in the U.S. this Spring
For help using any of these suggestions this spring, reach out to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We offer affordable, energy-efficient cooling remedies in the U.S. to save you money all season long. Everything we do is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can trust us to give you comfort and peace of mind. For skilled service that makes a real difference in your daily life, call 866-397-3787 today!