The Most Efficient HVAC System Is the One That Runs the Least
With the sun beaming down on your home during the day and the chill creeping up on you at night, it might feel like you’re jumping through hoops just to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Switching from heating to cooling so frequently can really increase your energy bill! You might be wondering about the most efficient HVAC systems. What sets them apart? Our experts say that the most efficient HVAC system is the one that runs the least. Here are a few things to keep an eye on to ensure your system is running at maximum efficiency:
“On” and “Auto” Thermostat Settings
Like most home owners, you probably leave your thermostat on “auto,” thinking that your system knows its limits better than you do. When a system is set to “auto,” however, it could still be turning on and off too often to be considered efficient. That’s because your home’s insulation and windows play a big part in this equation, too!
Smart thermostats can help better control your indoor air temperature. At Bell Brothers we offer and install smart thermostats as an additional upgrade!
Your Home Insulation
Insulation acts like a blanket for your house, keeping the desired amount of cold or warm air circulating within the home. Insulation is one of those things that is out of sight, out of mind, but it is a huge contributor to the efficiency of your system. When you bought your house, the insulation was likely either new or not old enough to replace. However, over time, insulation can settle or compact, making it less efficient in protecting your home from external temperatures.
Upgrading your insulation can increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit by insulating you home with, temperature-controlled air. Bell Brothers, in addition to offering HVAC services, also replaces and installs insulation in homes. We’re here to help and answer all your questions.
The Integrity of Your Windows
One way outside temperatures can transfer into your home is through your windows. Ideally, outdoor temperatures shouldn’t impact your home’s temperature too intensity. In fact, the temperature should only fluctuate by about 2 degrees or so every few hours. If your internal temperatures are more than 2 degrees lower (or higher) than your desired temperature, then you may have air leaks.
An air leak is a space between your windows (or exterior-facing doors, but we’ll cover that later) and the walls, through which outdoor air can sneak in and temperature-controlled air can seep through. You might not have the most efficient HVAC system because of your windows and not your actual HVAC unit. Bell Brothers replaces windows at a reasonable cost to the complete satisfaction of our customers.
The Sealing of Your Doors
As we stated above, air leaks also impact exterior-facing doors: your front door, the door leading to your garage, your back door, and any patio or balcony doors you have. Air leaks can develop around doors due to general wear and tear of the weather stripping. Bell Brothers also replaces doors. If your front door, back door, or any other door is causing your HVAC system to run inefficiently, call Bell Brothers for a free in-home estimate.
The Durability of Your Ducts
Besides air leaks from the outdoors into your home, your HVAC system could be suffering from another kind of leak: from your ducts. Leaking ducts could lead to cold spots in your home, entire rooms that won’t stay hot or cold, and definitely high utility bills. If your ducts are leaking, it’s time to replace them. They’ve served you well, but they’re no longer able to perform their duty to the level that you need them to. Bell Brothers can help. Our trained, skilled HVAC professionals replace duct systems and ensure that you have the most efficient HVAC system.
The Cleanliness of Your Air filter
Your air filter doesn’t just protect your home from dust and allergens. It also helps your HVAC system run more efficiently. We recommend replacing your air filters every 60 to 90 days depending how frequently your filters fill with debris. If you aren’t replacing your air filter every two to three months, then you may be creating another hurdle for your HVAC system. No wonder your energy bills have been so high! If you haven’t been replacing your filters regularly, here’s what you can do:
- Replace your filter right away.
- Dust and clean the vent covering for your air filter.
- Call Bell Brothers for a tune-up, which includes cleaning the system to ensure maximum efficiency.
The Condition of Your Outdoor HVAC Unit
Speaking of clean indoor systems, did you know that it’s important to clean your outdoor HVAC unit too? Well, it’s important to keep the area clean, as fallen branches, dead leaves, and other debris can clog the openings. Clogged openings keep your outdoor unit from running smoothly, and the harder your unit has to work to produce temperature-controlled air, the less efficient it is. And you know by now that the less efficient it is, the higher your energy bill will be.
Clear the area around your outdoor unit and inspect it to see if anything looks clogged. If you see a clogged area (or if you don’t know what you’re looking for), call the HVAC professionals at Bell Brothers. We can inspect your outdoor unit, perform maintenance services to improve its functionality, and lower your energy bill in no time.
Call Your Professional Bell Brothers HVAC and Home Service Technician
This is how you turn your HVAC system into the most efficient HVAC system:
- Make sure your thermostat isn’t kicking your system on and off too frequently.
- Update your home’s insulation to keep your temperature-controlled air from escaping.
- Keep air leaks from getting through your windows and doors; replace faulty windows and doors.
- Have your ducts inspected for air leaks. If air leaks are present, have them replaced by an HVAC professional.
- Replace your air filter every one to three months, and have maintenance performed on your HVAC system annually.
- Clear debris away from your outdoor HVAC unit to avoid clogging the system.
Bell Brothers can help with every one of these tasks. In fact, we’ll take care of it for you, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally interfering with the integrity of your HVAC system, windows, doors, and insulation. If you’re ready for a Bell Brothers HVAC and home service professional to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, don’t hesitate: call us! One of our friendly representatives will answer any questions you may have and get a technician out to you right away.