HVAC Tips / November 5, 2019

5 HVAC Adjustments to Help Save on Your Utility Bills

We’re always on the look for ways to save money. Well, one area where you may be able to save some money is on your utility bills. People spend a lot of money trying to keep their home’s interior climate controlled. Below are some HVAC adjustments and upgrades that can help decrease the amount you spend on utility bills.

1. Adjust Your Thermostat and Vents
   Adjust the temperature on your thermostat to save money. Increase the temperature by a couple degrees in the warm months and decrease it a couple degrees in the cool months. You might be more amenable to the temperature change than you think. At minimum, adjust the temperature when you’re away from home so your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard.Another way to prevent overwork by the system is to check your vents. Every vent in your home should be open. If not, your HVAC system is working to heat or cool your home to no avail because the air is blocked. While checking the vents, make sure the vents and ducts are clean. Debris in either one will hinder the flow of conditioned air.
2. Service or Replace Your Air Conditioner
   A poorly functioning air conditioner may be eating up your electricity bills. You want to check your unit periodically and ensure it’s clean and well-functioning. If you’re not sure what to look for, hire professional HVAC technicians, who can also make any necessary repairs. Likewise, ensure your filter is clean by replacing it seasonally.You might also want to replace your air conditioner. An old or poorly-sized unit might not be up to the task of cooling your home, no matter how well you take care of it. You can also upgrade to a high-efficiency AC system, which helps cool your home without increasing your energy bills.
3. Insulate and Vent Your Attic
   The temperature outside can affect your climate-controlled home from a surprising area — the attic. Builders often don’t insulate the area, and your home may lose hot air through the top of your house because of it. The danger in the summer time is that your home actually gains hot air through the attic, which makes your AC unit less efficient.In addition to insulation, your attic also needs ventilation. Contractors can install intake vents under the eaves of the house, which allow cool air to flow into the attic. They can also install hot air exhaust vents at the peak of the roof, through which hot air escapes. You’ll reduce cooling costs with a vented attic.
4. Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater
   If you have a big water heater somewhere in your home, you might not be getting the most energy efficiency out of such a system. A better option is a tankless water heater. While such a system carries a steep up-front cost, it usually uses up to 50 percent less energy than the tank-bearing varieties.A tankless system consists of a heater mounted to your wall and attached to your plumbing. When you turn a faucet on for hot water, the heater elements turn on. The water flows through the heat exchanger, heating up as it moves through. Hot water comes out the other side and flows to the relevant faucet. Because such systems don’t require constant heating, they save energy.
5. Consider Solar Energy
   Another idea that carries a big up-front cost but major utility savings is the installation of solar panels. HVAC experts recommend installing a system that produces around 25 percent more electricity than you typically use because overproduction allows you to sell the excess energy back to your utility company.Even though the price of installation is high, you do get money back via a federal solar credit. In addition to selling energy back to the utility company, you also simply save money by using energy the sun produces for you instead of paying for the energy in other ways.

Don’t watch your hard-earned dollars fly away to high utility bills. Contact Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar to discuss the above upgrades.