How to Improve HVAC Efficiency: A Guide for Homeowners
How to Improve HVAC Efficiency: A Guide for Homeowners
Your home’s HVAC system keeps you cozy on cold winter mornings and cool even in the hot desert summers. But at what cost?
With air conditioners using 12% of a home’s electricity and heating bills rising, many homeowners are taking a closer look at their HVAC usage and resulting bills.
HVAC efficiency can relieve the pressure. Take a look at why efficiency is important, how you can optimize your home’s system, and how to recognize when something is wrong.
YES! is here to support you through every season and HVAC question.
Why Is HVAC Efficiency Important?
HVAC efficiency saves you money, keeps you comfortable, and protects your home.
Did you know that nearly half of a home’s energy bills go toward heating and cooling costs? Yikes! When you optimize your HVAC system for efficient energy use, you cut down on bloated bills—without sacrificing comfort or safety.
Efficient HVAC use also protects the building structure itself. With an efficient air conditioner, moisture is less likely to cause mold, mildew, or rot. And efficient heating in the winter protects plumbing fixtures (and everything else that would be damaged by burst pipes).
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How to Make Your HVAC More Efficient: 9 Strategies
In order to run efficiently, your HVAC system must be properly sized for your home and configured with proper system boundaries. No amount of maintenance or optimization tweaks will overcome the inefficiencies of a system that’s not meant for your space.
If you have the right system installed, your decision as a homeowner can significantly improve the overall efficiency of your heating and AC units. Take a look at some strategies you can start using today.
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1. Perform Regular Checks
The first step to improving efficiency is to pay attention to efficiency in the first place. Perform regular DIY checks of your system, including looking at your filters, thermostat, and airflow.
You can also schedule a professional audit to have a technician look at your system and its efficiencies. Many companies do simple checks as part of their regular maintenance service.
Learn more about energy-efficient upgrades.
2. Change System Filters
Filters are an important part of HVAC health. They prevent dust, dirt, and other particles from spreading through the air. After a period of usage, all those particles build up in the filters. Dirty filters can slow down airflow or clog your system.
In most homes, filters should be changed every three months. Swapping out filters is an easy DIY task, but you can also ask your local HVAC team to change them out during your seasonal tune-up.
3. Set Your Thermostat Appropriately
You’ve probably heard this advice before: Adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees can lower your energy bills. That’s because your HVAC system works more efficiently when it doesn’t have to compete as hard with the outdoor temperature.
Traditional wisdom says to leave your home at 78° in the summer, but if that’s too hot for you, even 72° is better than 68°. The key is to keep daytime temperatures consistent (rather than cycling up and down). You should also adjust your thermostat at night or when you are away for a significant period.
A smart thermostat can help.
4. Seal Leaks and Drafts
Leaks waste the most energy in a house. All that air-conditioned air leaking out into the hot street? No thanks!
You’ll find immediate efficiency gains if you seal up leaks and drafts. Make sure windows and doors are properly sealed. Check for leaks through your attic or garage—these spaces might not be temperature-controlled the same way as other parts of your home.
5. Add Sufficient Insulation
Insulation prevents heat exchange with the air outside your home, keeping your indoor air more consistent. If you’re consistently losing too much heat from your attic or unfinished basement, added insulation can curb unwanted heat exchange.
Access points, like outdoor vents, may also benefit from added insulation. Consult a professional to see where your home’s insulation can be improved.
6. Adjust Curtains and Blinds
The temperature outside doesn’t always have to be at odds with your indoor conditions. When appropriate, use the outdoor weather to your advantage. Open blinds on cool summer mornings or warm fall afternoons.
Of course, close the blinds and curtains when conditions are not favorable. For example, west-facing windows will heat up your home on summer afternoons. Keeping the curtains closed in those conditions helps retain the cool air in your space.
7. Optimize Airflow
Heating or cooling air is only half the equation. The temperature-controlled air must also flow through the home. Cleaning ducts and vents optimizes airflow. Strategically opening or closing vents pushes air through the home, though closing too many can actually decrease pressure in undesirable ways.
Ceiling fans also promote healthy airflow that can maximize the efficiency of your HVAC unit.
8. Clear the Condensate Drain Line
The air conditioning process creates condensation as a byproduct. This water is removed from the system by the condensate drain line. Over time, this line can become clogged with sludge and debris, causing it to drain sluggishly.
Drain lines should be cleared around once a month in the cooling season. You can pour a cup of distilled vinegar into the drain line access point, or you can rely on a trusted technician to clear the line for you.
9. Schedule Professional Maintenance
You don’t have to deal with HVAC efficiency on your own. Professional maintenance looks at these key factors—and more. Your local technician can make recommendations and perform repairs that keep your system running smoothly.
How to Know Your HVAC Isn’t Working Efficiently: 5 Signs
Outside of regular efficiency checks and professional maintenance, something going wrong is the best way to identify inefficiencies. Keep an eye out for these signs that your HVAC isn’t working properly.
If something isn’t right, schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment with YES!
1. Uneven Heating or Cooling
Running your HVAC system should keep you comfortable, not keep you guessing. Why is the bedroom warmer than the office? Why is the heat suddenly not reaching the upstairs bathroom?
Uneven temperature distribution throughout the home might mean vent clogs, dirty parts, or an otherwise overwhelmed system.
2. Higher Than Usual Humidity
Your air conditioner keeps your home cool, but it also regulates the humidity in the home.
If you notice humidity creeping up in the summer, particularly if outdoor humidity levels are steady, your AC unit is likely to blame. Watch out for increased condensation on windows or surfaces. Slow drying clothes or damp bedding can also be a sign of increased indoor humidity.
3. Unexplained Spike in Energy Bills
With already high energy prices, the last thing you want to see is a big spike in your bill. Seasonal fluctuations or mild year-to-year increases are normal. But watch out for large, unexplained increases in your overall energy spending.
Extra spending on energy often indicates that some part of your HVAC system is working harder than it should be.
4. Frequent System Breakdowns
All systems benefit from regular tune-ups and maintenance, but they shouldn’t frequently break down. If you find yourself calling for repairs or emergency services several times a year, your system is not working efficiently.
Speak with your technician if this happens. It might be time for a replacement or upgrade to your system.
5. Unusual Odors, Sounds, or Leaks
Pay attention to your HVAC system as it runs throughout the year. Some odors and sounds are normal. You might smell a bit of dust when you first start your furnace for the winter season. You’ll likely hear the air click on when your AC starts a cycle.
Other sounds and odors are cause for concern. Any burning, banging, or leaking should be addressed by a professional right away.
Improve HVAC Efficiency with YES! Services
Don’t let energy bills make you sweat. Just a few simple steps can improve your HVAC efficiency and lighten the stress on your wallet.
Start with regular professional maintenance from YES! Call 844-216-9300 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.