6 Things You Can Do to Improve Your HVAC Efficiency

Keeping your HVAC system running efficiently in your Charleston, South Carolina, home is of vital importance to help reduce your utility costs each month. It also helps your home create a much smaller carbon footprint. Aside from these obvious benefits, an efficient system can also increase your home’s indoor air quality and help keep your home a more comfortable and consistent temperature. Now that you know the benefits of having an efficient system, you may be wondering what you can do to help improve it.

Install a Wi-Fi thermostat

One of the best ways to maintain efficiency with your HVAC system is to allow it to work at a consistent pace throughout the day. One way to keep your temperature consistent without having your HVAC system working overtime is by installing a Wi-Fi thermostat. This type of thermostat allows you to set programs that will gradually increase and decrease the temperature when you are home or away, giving your system the break it needs without having to crank up the temperature full blast.

These thermostats come with a number of different features that can help you improve your energy use such as energy reports and even programs that allow it to self-adjust depending on the weather reports.

Make Sure Your Home is Properly Weatherized

Home weatherization is an important step to take to help your heating and air conditioning system run more efficiently. When your home’s windows and doors have cracks, leaks, or other areas where the conditioned air can escape, causing your HVAC system to work harder to compensate for this loss. Make sure to identify any areas where leaks can occur and properly seal them up. This can include adding additional caulking and weather stripping around windows or doors and sealing areas in the wall where pipes come through.

Have Maintenance Performed on Your HVAC System

When you have regular HVAC maintenance performed on your system, your technician will clean the entire system and check for possible repairs or problems that can reduce your system’s efficiency. They will also inspect your filter and other air flow issues ensuring that your system is running as optimally as possible.

Make Sure Your Vents and Returns Are Not Blocked

Sometimes your furniture and home decor can be ruining the efficiency of your HVAC system. When the vents and returns are blocked, it can limit the airflow in the room and make your system have to work harder to push the air through. Make sure to have space around each vent so you can get as much heat or air-conditioned air into the room as possible.

Get Your Ductwork Cleaned

Dust, dirt, pollen, and pet dander can find a home in your home’s ductwork. Over time this debris will build up and begin to inhibit the flow of air through your system. When this occurs, your HVAC system will begin running longer and kick on more often to be able to push out warm air and get your home to the desired temperature. When you have the ductwork cleaned, your HVAC technician will also check your ductwork for any leaks or cracks that can lessen efficiency as well.

Make Sure Your Insulation is Sufficient

Having proper insulation around your ductwork and in the attic and crawlspace of your home is a crucial part of keeping the conditioned air contained in your home. Over time, insulation can become wet or damaged and break down, which results in holes. If you have a problem with rodents in your home, they can also use your insulation to make nests and will often chew through and damage parts of it.

Perform a visual inspection of your attic and crawlspace and check for signs of moisture, damage, or empty space. If you just detect a few places, you can fill them in, but if your insulation is old or has a lot of damage, you would be wise to consider installing new insulation.

Help improve the efficiency of your HVAC system by following the few tips listed above. Get started by contacting AC Heating and Air Conditioning Services at (843) 277-9928 to schedule your maintenance today.

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