4 Tips To Boost Heating And Cooling Efficiency

Posted on: 13 June 2018

Heating and cooling your home is expensive, and when the system isn't working efficiently, you waste even more money. While you may not be able to remove your heating and cooling costs completely, you can reduce them by improving the system or your home. Check out these four tips to boost heating and cooling efficiency inside your home.

Replace or Repair Your System

If your system is newer, it may just need a quick repair to boost efficiency. Systems can become less efficient if something is broken, there are gaps in the ductwork, the ductwork is clogged with dust, or the filter is clogged with dust. All these solutions are easy to fix, but they can drastically increase the efficiency of the system. If your system is older, you may need to replace it. Older systems simply aren't as efficient as newer models. You may also need a new system if yours is too big or too small. You can determine if your unit is too big if it cycles too often. Your system is likely too small if your home never reaches a comfortable temperature.

Keep Your Home Insulated

The HVAC system is how your home gets toasty in the winter and cool in the summer, but without proper insulation, your home won't keep that comfy temperature for long. The hot/cold air from outside will penetrate inside, and the hot/cold air inside will leak outside through walls, windows, gaps, etc. Insulation helps block this transfer, so make sure your exterior walls and attic have enough insulation. If your attic is open, you can add more insulation batting with ease, but if it is finished (or you need to add insulation to exterior walls), you may need loose fiber insulation, which can be blown into walls through holes.

Eliminate Any Holes and Gaps in Exterior Walls

If you have holes in your exterior walls, the air can just pass right through without problem. One small gap may not cause problems, but a big one or several can. Make sure you spot and repair any holes near pipes, windows, doors, etc. An easy way to plug these holes is with canned spray-foam insulation. You can purchase it at most hardware stores. You simply spray the foam in the hole and it expands as it dries to fully cover the hole.

Use Your Ceiling Fan in the Winter

You likely use your ceiling fan on warmer days to stay cool, but you can also use your ceiling fan in the winter to boost heating efficiency. Instead of blowing cold air downward, however, you need to reverse your fan, making it blow cold air upward. Hot air naturally rises, so you likely have a lot of hot air near your ceiling, where it isn't keeping you warm. The reversed fan will push cold air upward, which in turn, pushes the hot air down to the living space.

Heating and cooling is essential for survival and/or comfort during the hot and cold months. However, an inefficient HVAC system can waste energy and money. For more information or if you need your system replaced or repaired, contact a company like L.J. KRUSE COMPANY.

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