5 Heating and Cooling Tips for Saving Money in Utah
Heating and cooling account for nearly half of the energy used in many homes, and the average homeowner pays close to $1,000 a year for heating and cooling alone.
Making your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system more efficient can help you scale back your energy usage, increase your comfort and save money in Utah winters and summers.
Here are some energy efficiency tips from the ENERGY STAR program:
1. Change Your Air Filter Regularly
Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it.
At a minimum, change the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool, wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system, leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
2. Tune Up Your HVAC Equipment Yearly
Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Visit www.energystar.gov for a maintenance checklist and tips on hiring a heating and cooling contractor.
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
4. Seal Your Heating and Cooling Ducts
Ducts that move air to and from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent.
Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts.
After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house.
5. Consider Upgrading Your Heating and Cooling Equipment
If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a more efficient unit.
Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.
If you decide to buy new equipment, be sure it’s ENERGY STAR certified.
