Whether you’ve been a resident of the Dallas-Fort Worth area a year, or ten, we can all agree that the weather gets a little crazy sometimes. Temperatures could be in the mid-70s one day and single digits two days later, and while the crazy swing in temperatures might drive you crazy, one can only imagine what your HVAC system is going through.
Making your home energy efficient is one of the best things you can do for your wallet and the environment. Provided below are some seasonal tips you can do to increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency in the Winter
Insulation
One of the most impactful things you can do to help your home battle the colder temperatures is to insulate the barren parts of your plumbing and heating systems. According to the Department of Energy, “Insulation in your home provides resistance to heat flow and lowers your heating and cooling costs.” Without insulation, all the heat your furnace produces is eventually wasted.
HVAC Maintenance
When the temperature drops, you need to ensure that your heater works as expected. Routine maintenance keeps your unit working at its best and prepared for the most brutal months of the year. If you have noticed that your heater is making strange noises or a significant increase in your energy bills, there is most likely an issue. It is better to resolve the issue now than run into a failure when the weather is at its worst.
Changing Furnace Filters
Regularly changing your furnace filters keeps your system working at its best. A unit with a dirty filter will have to work harder to produce the same result, effectively raising your energy costs.
Energy Efficiency in the Summer
Use your ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans are an excellent temporary solution to a hot room. While they won’t bring the room’s temperature down, they’re an energy-efficient way to cool you.
Close your blinds
Sunlight heats homes. When your blinds are open or drawn up, the sunlight that enters through your windows can raise your interior temperature by at least a couple of degrees. The extra heat requires your air conditioning system to work overtime, unnecessarily increasing your energy expenses.
Utilize your smart thermostat
Perhaps one of the most significant pieces of technology in your home, your thermostat, is ultimately responsible for your comfort. It can also save you money in a few simple ways. For example, by turning your thermostat a couple of degrees higher than usual, you can save $10 on your monthly bill.
Install energy-saving windows
When it comes to money-saving tips, this is a hidden gem. While keeping your blinds closed reduces the amount of sunlight that streams through your windows, some window technology cuts down on the level of heat produced by filtered sunlight.
Your home HVAC unit is constantly working to keep the set temperature in your home, and without some form of energy efficiency, it can end up costing an arm and a leg each month. If you take any of the tips provided above, the most impactful would be to ensure your unit is correctly maintained throughout the year.
Through Bacon’s Friends and Family, Membership members receive a 15% discount on all services, plus additional benefits such as priority appointment service and free annual maintenance services for all of Bacon’s home service lines. Contact us today to learn more!
