4 Home Tasks to Improve HVAC Efficiency
Keeping your HVAC system in tip-top shape can help improve your home’s overall energy efficiency. As a result, you lower your cooling costs and reduce your carbon footprint. There are plenty of tasks you can do to improve HVAC efficiency and keep everything running smoothly. Here are our top four ways homeowners in Greenville, North Carolina, can improve their HVAC efficiency:
Replace the Filter
One of the best ways to improve your HVAC efficiency through household chores is to replace your filter. Filters are an integral part of keeping your home comfortable, and they prevent debris and contaminants from getting in your home’s air circulation. However, if the filters become clogged with dust, pet hair or other airborne particles, they can decrease HVAC efficiency.
With a clogged filter, the system has to work harder to pull air in, which increases the amount of energy needed to complete a cycle. Replace the filter every few months to see an increase in efficiency and avoid other related issues, like reduced indoor air quality or poor airflow.
Vacuum the Vents
Homeowners often overlook their vents when it comes to HVAC maintenance. But cleaning them can make a difference when it comes to efficiency. Vents clogged with dust or other debris can lead to poor airflow. When the indoor temperature of your home doesn’t change accordingly, your thermostat may send signals to your HVAC system to run more frequently, which can reduce energy efficiency.
Vacuum your vents regularly to help prevent this issue. In addition, keep the areas around your vents clear, as furniture or drapes can also block them, leading to reduced air circulation and poor energy efficiency.
If you frequently notice that your vents are dusty, consider additional air-cleaning measures. Technology like air purifiers can help further prevent dust from building up in your home’s air. Since the dust on vents is typically from a combination of debris inside your system and inside your home, air purifiers are a great way to keep your air clean and reduce contaminants. As a result, you’ll also improve indoor air quality.
Inspect the Seals
The caulking and weather stripping around the windows and doors of your home can play a critical role in HVAC efficiency. When it’s hot outside, the cool air inside will seek to move toward the heat. Poor sealing allows cool air to escape, leading to increased demand on your HVAC system. Temperature regulation may also become an issue. You may notice warmer spots near windows and doors where the outdoor air is leaking in.
Go around your home and check the stripping and caulking for any gaps or leaks. Have this repaired professionally or do it yourself as soon as possible. This will help keep temperature-controlled air inside your home while also improving energy efficiency and air quality. It can also help keep the humidity inside your home balanced. Cracks in seals can let in moisture, which can lead to too much humidity in your home.
Clear All Debris
Debris outside your home can also affect HVAC efficiency. You’ll want to keep the area around your HVAC system’s exterior component clear. It’s popular to grow bushes or other shrubberies around unsightly units. This practice is fine as long as you regularly trim branches and leaves back at least 4 feet from the unit itself. This can prevent leaves and twigs from getting into the unit and impairing function.
You need to remove anything on top of the unit quickly to help prevent lagging HVAC efficiency. This is especially true after storms or high winds, where the currents can carry debris to your unit and prevent good airflow. Doing this will also help you prevent damage and high repair costs.
Have you noticed an increase in your utility bills? Poor HVAC efficiency may be the culprit. If the above tasks don’t improve your efficiency, give J & J Mechanical, Inc. a call at 888-716-0052.
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