Summer Energy Saving Tips
Summer is almost here!
Right now is the best time to check out your homes HVAC system, The sooner you identify a potential problem, the less of a wait time you will have for a technician which will likely get it addressed before the real heat of summer kicks in.
Things you can do:
- Clean/change the air filter. If you only make one tune-up this season, definitely clean your air filter. This can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by up to 15%. You should wash your reusable filter or replace your disposable one once per month.
Clear the area around the outdoor unit. Keep vegetation at least two feet away from the unit so it is free to pull in air. Avoid any gathered debris around the area, such as leaves or dirt.
Check your thermostat early. Set it on “cool” and wait. If your system doesn’t come on within the next few moments, you may need to have it repaired or replaced. (call us and we will come have a look) The sooner you identify a potential problem, the less of a wait time you will have for a technician and will likely get it addressed before the heat of summer.
Things we can do for you:
- Clear drains. A clogged drain can waste nearly as much energy as a dirty filter because your unit has to work harder to send out even less cool air, a clogged drain also has a chance to cause icing in the indoor coil.
Clean the outdoor and indoor units. The technician will keep the outdoor condenser fan running efficiently by cleaning the fan blades, and will maintain the unit's ability to cool the air moving through it by removing dust and other buildup from the indoor condenser coil.
A technician can do routine cleaning and maintenance, and verify your system is in good shape. Sometimes, with older HVAC units, the best option may be to replace it with a newer model. Some new Energy Star units can save up to 50% of the energy that older models use, which means better cooling and lower costs!
Get the most out of your HVAC system:
- Leave vents open! Many homeowners assume they are saving money by closing heating and air vents in unused parts of the home. When in fact, you are wasting energy—and money—when you close your vents. When you block vents, your unit has to work harder to maintain the same temperature throughout your home. In the short term, that means increased energy costs, and in the long term, it can actually decrease the life of your HVAC system.
Think about investing in a programmable thermostat. It's easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat than a regular one because you don't have to think about it each time you want to change the temperature. You pre-program your settings so that the thermostat raises the temperature while you're at work and asleep, and kicks on the air conditioning when you're at home and awake.
Set your thermostat to your ideal temperature (not any colder). Setting the air conditioner to a colder-than-desired temperature doesn't cool down your house any quicker – it just keeps the unit working longer than necessary.
Seal your heating/cooling ducts and any open spaces. Make sure doors, windows, and nooks and crannies are shut and properly sealed. The less cool air that escapes your home, the less energy you'll waste, and more comfortable you'll be.
We all know that heat rises, and cool air sinks. In the summer, that can mean the upper level of your home is sweltering. While your basement is ice cold! Good air circulation is key to helping out your AC on those hot summer afternoons. Use ceiling or floor fans to help move air around your house. This will help your HVAC system to run better, use less energy, and keep your home’s temperature even.
Consider installing a system in the basement, this will allow for better air circulation throughout your home, as well as saving energy and money.
Last but certainly not least, we think the best way to save energy usage this summer, turn off the air conditioning and head to the beautiful outdoors we have here in British Columbia.
Head to the lake, do some camping or fishing and enjoy some ice cold beverages. Have a great Summer!
