Top Tips for Reducing Your Energy Bills with HVAC Efficiency

HVAC systems are integral to modern quality of life. With your cooling and heating systems, you keep you and your family comfortable and safe throughout the year. You also pay for that comfort, and during summer and winter, those expenses can be rather high. Let’s explore tips for reducing your energy bills by maximizing your HVAC efficiency to avoid spending so much on your heat and air conditioning.

Set a Temperature With Energy Efficiency in Mind

The Department of Energy (DOE) offers optimal temperatures for homeowners who want to balance comfort and energy efficiency. It recommends 68 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 78 degrees in summer. Of course, these settings may not be comfortable for everyone, so find your household’s sweet spot. As you do, be mindful of your potential to save. Each degree above 72 degrees that you increase your setting in summer will save you about 3% on cooling. For heating, each degree below your standard setting will save at least 1% and could save as much as 3%.

Adjust Your Temperature With a Smart Thermostat

The DOE advises that the average household can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10% with a programmable thermostat. That estimate is rather conservative based on other prominent studies, which suggest the savings can actually be much higher. Experts also recommend a smart thermostat over a regular programmable unit, as it will add an array of additional energy-saving features.

Scheduling is the primary way to save with a smart or programmable thermostat. The DOE recommendation is to lower or increase the temperature, depending on the season by 7 to 10 degrees. Do this for at least eight hours overall every day, which is what the DOE based its estimate on. Most households can do this for between 12 to 16 hours a day.

Set the thermostat to adjust the temperature after you go to bed and before you wake. You can also set it to adjust the system after you go to work and before you return home. Many thermostats support scheduling for every day of the week or weekdays and weekends. You should also take advantage of vacation mode whenever you’ll be away from the home for an extended period.

There are many smart features to consider as well. Smart setback makes your HVAC system more efficient when restoring your comfortable temperature. Geofencing lets your smart thermostat adjust scheduling on the fly based on your location. Energy monitoring and reporting will show you when your system is efficient and when it isn’t.

Avoid Peak Energy Rates

Many electric companies charge you based on time of use. The highest rates occur during the peak period between 4 and 9 p.m. Consider increasing or decreasing your temperature during this period for significant savings. Many smart thermostats now have integrated support for peak rates. In addition, many electric companies offer opt-in smart thermostat programs through which you can earn bill credits.

Schedule a Spring HVAC Tune-Up

Schedule seasonal HVAC maintenance at least twice a year. Book an appointment in spring prior to the cooling season and again in fall prior to the heating season. This is good advice, even if you have a heat pump or ductless mini-split that both cools and heats. Our technician will inspect, clean, lubricate, and tighten your HVAC equipment during this appointment. According to the DOE, failure to do this can increase your HVAC operating costs by between 10% and 25%.

Once a year, you should have a technician perform a camera inspection of your ducts and clean them if needed. Note that HVAC companies don’t include a duct inspection in standard seasonal HVAC maintenance. That said, you can schedule these services at the same time for convenience.

Check Your HVAC Filter Regularly and Swap as Needed

The DOE warns that a clogged air filter will increase HVAC operating costs by at least 5% and as much as 15%. This is because of restricted airflow, which will affect your comfort as well. To avoid this with central systems, additional filters should be on hand. Check your filter at least once a month. Replace it whenever you see dust caking up on it or the air passing through makes a whistling sound. If you have a ductless mini-split, you may have washable filters. You should wash those filters thoroughly every two weeks. Replace those filters once a year, such as at the beginning of the cooling season.

Maintain a Comfortable Relative Humidity

Relative humidity (RH) is a measure of the water vapor in the air within the context of temperature. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends an RH between 50% and 30%. With an optimal RH, you’ll feel cooler at a higher temperature and warmer at a lower temperature. The most affordable way to decrease or increase RH is to use a portable dehumidifier or humidifier. For better savings and efficiency in the long term, consider investing in a whole-house dehumidifier and humidifier.

Upgrade With an Emphasis on Energy Efficiency

When upgrading your HVAC and ancillary equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR systems are at least 10% more efficient than standard models and often offer even higher savings. Pay attention to energy efficiency ratings as well. The higher the rating, the more you’ll save month to month. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) indicates cooling efficiency over an entire summer. Heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) indicates the heating efficiency of heat pumps over an entire winter. For fuel-burning furnaces, you’ll want to look for the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating.

Make Use of Ceiling Fans

In summer, ceiling fans help you feel cooler through the windchill factor. Set the fan to a counterclockwise rotation at the highest speed at which you feel comfortable. In winter, ceiling fans force the warmer down into the living space. Set the fan to a clockwise rotation. Also, put the fan at its lowest speed in order to avoid the wind chill. If you have ceiling fans in rooms with vaulted ceilings, set those to a counterclockwise rotation at the highest speed at all times.

Prevent Air Leakage

Insulation makes a big difference in how well your home retains cooled and heated air. You should also avoid air leakage. This can occur through cracks in walls and gaps around windows and doors. Air leakage occurs through ducts as well. In fact, the DOE warns that this loss can be between 20% and 40%. For this problem, the EPA recommends the aerosol-based resealing technique. It can reduce losses to less than 5%.

HVAC Efficiency Pros in Los Angeles

Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric has served the Greater Los Angeles area for over 15 years, and we specialize in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services. Our HVAC technicians install, maintain, and service all ducted and ductless cooling and heating systems. We specialize in duct cleaning, air purification, dehumidification, and humidification. Our licensed electricians perform inspections, electrical repairs, installations, such as surge protection, and upgrades, including electrical panels. We also have a team of licensed plumbers. Our plumbers pipe and repipe water, sewer, and gas lines. They specialize in drain cleaning, sewer repair, tank and tankless water heaters, leak detection, fixture installation, and water filtration and softening. Our technicians, electricians, and plumbers are available around the clock for emergency repairs as well. Call today or contact us online to learn more or to schedule an HVAC services appointment.