7 Smart Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
For most households, there’s nothing better in the summer than walking into a cool, humid-free room during a sweltering afternoon. Your HVAC unit allows you to stay comfortable within your home, even on the sultriest of days. It's no wonder that Americans spend 6% of all electricity generated in the U.S. to power their air conditioners.
Experts say that HVAC systems represent 50% to 60% of the typical energy costs in an American home. Maintaining your AC unit can help you save on your energy bills. Here are seven ways that can help you make your home more energy-efficient.
1. Pick an Energy Efficient HVAC Unit
The first step to reducing your power utility bills is by picking an energy-efficient unit. Replacing your HVAC system that is at least 10 years old can double or triple your return on investment. Newer models have higher SEER ratings, making them more energy-efficient. Search for ENERGY STAR-rated models to find one that will cool your home without wasting energy.
2. Insulate Your Home
You may need to ensure that your windows don't leak out the valuable conditioned air. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that windows contribute to a 30% loss of energy in the average home. Easy A-C Screen can help insulate the space between your window AC unit and your window frame.
3. Service Your Air Conditioner
Proper maintenance is critical to the efficiency of your air conditioner. Having a ready HVAC parts supply for parts such as air filters can help you keep your unit in top shape. Replacing your filters can reduce your energy consumption by 5-15%.
4. Program Your Thermostat
You can increase the energy efficiency in your home by investing in programmable controls and thermostats. When it’s hot outside, setting your HVAC unit at 75 degrees can result in 18% more energy consumption than setting it at 78 degrees. At 72 degrees, the AC unit uses 39% more energy than it does at 78 degrees. Using a programmable thermostat from the HVAC parts supply store allows you to adjust the temperature accordingly, especially when no one is at home.
5. Turn Off Electronics
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that dormant, consistently plugged-in appliances account for 5% to 10% of annual energy use in a residential home. Plugged-in electronics such as exercise equipment, home theater systems, computers can increase your energy consumption and increase heat generation in your home. Turning them off and unplugging them from the wall will allow your AC to use less energy while reducing other kinds of energy waste.
6. Invest in a Quality Air Conditioner Side Panel Kit
Most apartments and many homes utilize window HVAC units to help keep the rooms cool. Accordion baffles from your HVAC parts supply store can leave spaces that lose your conditioned air. Additionally, the lack of a perfect seal can let in dust and dirt that overpowers your filters. Invest in quality window air conditioner side panels to keep the conditioned air circulating in your home without leaking out.
7. Install Window Treatments
Energy-efficient window treatments such as blinds, films, and shades can help reduce the heat gain within your home. Automated window treatments can make saving energy even easier!
Your HVAC unit contributes the largest portion of your energy bills. The seven tips above can help you make your AC more energy-efficient, saving you money in the long run. Contact us today to learn more about improving your HVAC parts supply and your energy efficiency.