Changing your HVAC system from heating to air conditioning and back to heating as temperature fluctuates in the spring can cause your energy bills to skyrocket. It’s important that homeowners take proactive steps to control their heating and cooling costs, since there’s not much you can do to control the weather.
Below, discover several helpful tips on what you can do to save money on spring HVAC costs with the help of the qualified professionals at N.E.T.R., Inc.
Use Outdoor Conditions to Your Advantage
Spring weather may be unpredictable, but you may also be able to use it to your advantage during certain parts of the day. Cooler mornings and evenings are a great time to throw open the windows and get some outdoor air, while afternoons may be better spent with the air conditioner on.
When you’re paying attention to the weather, try to make a mental note of when you may be able to turn off your HVAC system and enjoy the breeze outside. This not only cuts down on the amount of power you use, but also helps to improve your indoor air quality by exchanging used, stale air inside for freshly-oxygenated air outside.
Just be sure to monitor your humidity levels as well and keep the windows closed if it’s too wet outside.
Keep Indoor Air Well-Circulated
Circulating the air in your space not only helps keep it from feeling stale but it also helps make your system more efficient by evenly distributing your heating or cooling. You can do this by utilizing the direction settings on your ceiling fans or by setting up portable fans throughout your home.
If you’re using ceiling fans, you should make sure they turn clockwise in the winter to circulate warm air and counter-clockwise in the summer to generate a stronger breeze. When your indoor air is moving around, it can help eliminate hot and cold spots and keep your home’s temperatures consistent, which also decreases wear and tear on your system.
Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up
If your HVAC system isn’t working properly, it’s going to use more energy than it needs to generate your heating or cooling. Even if the system doesn’t seem to have any obvious problems, worn out parts could be contributing to extra power draw and an unnecessary increase in your electric bills.
Regular tune-ups at the start of spring and fall can help identify issues, replace damaged parts, and prevent your system from completely breaking down during the summer or winter when the weather is more extreme. When your system is operating optimally, it has the least possible impact on your overall energy expenses.
Turn Down Your Water Temperature
It also costs a lot to heat your water, especially if the temperature on your tank is set on the higher side. Usually, it’s not necessary to have your water heated to the extreme – and if you have children, it’s recommended that you don’t.
Turning the temperature down on your water heater even just a few degrees can curb costs without impacting the way you use hot water in your home. This is easiest to do in the spring when the weather gets warmer and you don’t have to compensate as much for heat loss that occurs through your pipes in the winter.
Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a great investment, not just for your convenience and home comfort, but also to increase the overall resale value of your home. Depending on which model you choose, a smart thermostat can offer several capabilities, like the ability to:
- Control your system remotely from your mobile device
- Schedule your system to turn up or down when you’re at or away from home
- Integrate with your smart home to control your system via voice
- Learn your comfort habits and make changes to your heating or cooling automatically
- Track how you use the system and create data reports for budgeting, etc.
Talk to a Qualified Boston HVAC Contractor at N.E.T.R., Inc.
Heating and cooling costs are up across the nation, but our experienced Boston HVAC contractors are dedicated to helping homeowners manage their energy expenses without sacrificing their home comfort.
Stop fighting with your thermostat and dealing with hot and cold spots throughout your house. Contact our Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Elite certified contractors today for more information on lowering your spring HVAC costs or to schedule a home comfort consultation by calling (781) 757-5734.
