Save Money While Staying Comfortable
If homeowners are tired of sky-high utility bills and wasting energy, there are some easy ways to save on heating and cooling costs. This blog post will share practical, budget-friendly strategies to boost energy efficiency and savings while keeping the home comfortable. These tips will help homeowners lower their heating and cooling costs without sacrificing comfort.
Schedule Maintenance and Replace Air Filters
Proper heating and AC maintenance and regular air filter replacement are among the easiest ways to save on heating and cooling costs throughout the year. When AC and furnace filters become clogged with dust and debris, heating and cooling equipment must work significantly harder to maintain comfortable temperatures. This increased effort directly translates to higher energy bills. Clean air filters allow air to flow freely, reducing strain on the system and lowering monthly expenses.
Air filters can have different timelines of when they should be changed depending on the filter’s size and thickness, the home’s size, and homes with pets or people with allergy sensitivities. However, it’s generally recommended to change furnace and AC filters every three months, but households with pets or people with allergies will benefit from more frequent replacements.
Beyond routine air filter replacement, scheduling annual maintenance for heating and air conditioning systems delivers substantial financial benefits. Heating maintenance and air conditioning maintenance should both be done once a year. A properly maintained system operates more efficiently, using less energy to heat or cool a home and leading to utility bill savings. Maintenance also allows technicians to identify and address small issues before they become more expensive problems and extend the equipment's lifespan, reducing repair and replacement costs.
Use Ceiling Fans Correctly
Using a home’s ceiling fans correctly can also help reduce heating and cooling costs. People may only think of using ceiling fans when it’s hot outside to help cool the home along with the AC system. However, ceiling fans can be used year-round. The direction the ceiling fan blades rotate makes a significant difference. By adjusting each ceiling fan's rotation seasonally, homeowners can help save on energy bills throughout the year.
During summer months, set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise. This creates a cooling downdraft that makes rooms feel cooler, allowing homeowners to raise the thermostat setting for energy savings without sacrificing comfort.
During winter months, reverse the direction to a clockwise rotation at a low speed. This gentle updraft pushes warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling back down. The redistribution of heated air helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout the room. As a result, homeowners can lower the thermostat setting for energy savings while maintaining comfort.
Smart Thermostat Installation
Smart thermostats are game-changers for reducing heating and cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. These devices can learn temperature preferences and automatically adjust temperatures based on the daily routines of residents. They can connect to Wi-Fi, allowing for temperature adjustments from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection using smartphones or other devices.
Smart thermostats also have many other energy-saving features, such as detailed energy reports that help identify costly heating and cooling patterns and geofencing, which tracks when people leave and return so it can save energy when the home is empty and change the temperature back before people return home. Smart thermostats can help save around 10-15% on heating and cooling, making them a simple way to save money.
About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions
A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a local, family-owned and operated company serving the Austin area. They provide flat-rate pricing, financing, and fast, friendly service. Call them for heating and air conditioning services in Austin, TX.
