How to Save Money on Your HVAC Energy Bills | Top 5 Strategies

As temperatures rise and the sweltering heat of summer sets in, the comforting hum of your HVAC system becomes a lifeline. It gives you a chill, fresh breeze that’s your getaway from the blistering heat outdoors. But when summer hits and you’re cranking up the AC, it’s no surprise that your energy bills start to spike, making a dent in your budget.

So, by smartly choosing and sticking to energy-saving habits, you can cut down your HVAC’s power gulp big time – saving some serious cash on your bills. With a handful of clever yet easy-to-apply strategies, you can ensure your living or working space stays chilled without letting your energy efficiency take a hit. Here’s the scoop: you can seriously cut down your HVAC energy costs and still keep things chill, without breaking the bank.

5 Efficient Ways to Lower Your HVAC Energy Bills

Following are some effective and proven ways that you can utilize to cut down on your energy bills and save more.

Regular Maintenance: Ensure Optimal Performance and Energy Efficiency

According to Redding Heating and Air, changing your HVAC system’s air filter can result in a 5% to 15% reduction in energy consumption, making regular maintenance a vital aspect of energy-saving practices. Schedule routine inspections and servicing of your HVAC unit.

This means giving your system a good scrub, greasing up those moving bits, and spotting any potential leaks or areas where it’s not running as smoothly as it should. Maintaining your HVAC system helps it run efficiently and saves you money.

Therefore, keeping your HVAC in good shape helps it run efficiently, saving you money on energy and repairs down the road.

Smart Thermostat Usage: Optimize Temperature Control for Efficient Cooling

Embrace the benefits of modern technology by installing a programmable or smart thermostat that allows you to regulate the temperature of your home with precision and efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, air conditioners release approximately 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air annually, equating to about two tons per home.

By programming your thermostat, you’re able to adjust the temperature based on your household’s occupancy patterns and preferences. You can crank up the cool when you need it but cut back on power use during chill times. This is usually when you’re away from home or asleep. This smart play with temperature not only ramps up your comfort but also slims down those hefty energy bills.

Proper Insulation and Sealing: Prevent Energy Loss and Maximize Efficiency

To optimize your HVAC system’s energy efficiency, it is crucial to ensure that your home is well-insulated and properly sealed. Properly sealing your business prevents any air leaks or drafts that can result in energy loss and decreased cooling efficiency. Evaluate your home for any gaps, cracks, or areas where air may be escaping, and promptly seal them with weather stripping, caulking, or insulation materials.

According to Onedesk, the HVAC unit sales for 2024 are projected to exceed 151 million, emphasizing the significance of proper insulation to maximize the efficiency of your cooling system. Boosting your HVAC’s efficiency is as simple as ensuring a secure seal and proper insulation. When your HVAC unit is working properly, it’s like a well-oiled machine – using less energy and saving you cash on those monthly bills.

4. Use blinds or curtains to get minimum heat intake

When there are extreme temperatures outside, your air conditioning system has to work more to keep the house cool. In simple terms, the lower the temperature you set for your AC, the more it will have to work, and hence, it will consume more energy, resulting in increased bills.
When you keep the sunlight out in the zenith hours by curtains or closed blinds, it naturally cools down the home. Consequently, the air conditioning system works at the optimal speed that would not raise the bills.

There are several advanced window and blind designs that are efficient in this aspect. Double-glazed and triple-glazed windows, which have trapped gas in between them, work best in keeping the home temperatures maintained.

In the night hours, we tend to use AC continuously. However, the sleep experts have opposite opinions on this. They advise turning off the cooling systems because it can damage health, sleep quality, and, of course, energy bills. Instead, you can use the ceiling fan.

5. Get a Proper Home Energy Audit

There are 2 ways to go about it.

Either you can audit the home energy use yourself or get professionals on board for the task. It might be difficult for many to do the home audit themselves. So, the best option is to get connected with the professionals. They have special tools like thermal imaging cameras, air flow meters, and high-functioning ultrasonic leak detectors that can easily measure if something is off in your home.

Investing in a professional home energy audit will give you an accurate report of the energy use and leakage (if there is any). It will help you identify what needs fixing and demands immediate attention.

Conclusion:

When extreme weather beckons the continuous use of your HVAC system, adopting energy-saving practices becomes crucial to maintain a cool and comfortable home environment while keeping your energy bills in check.

By keeping up with routine check-ups, using a smart thermostat wisely, and making sure your home is well-insulated and sealed tight, you can really cut down on how much energy your HVAC system chews through. Cutting down on energy use not only fattens your wallet but also makes cooling your pad a greener deal.

Using these smart and effective tactics, you’ll not only chill your pad all summer long but also save some bucks and give Mother Earth a helping hand.

Read Also: Lifestyle Habits To Help You Save Money