Is Your HVAC System Costing You a Small Fortune?

Summer can be a tough time when it comes to energy costs. Hot days lead to large air conditioning energy bills that can be painfully expensive. If this summer seemed to cost you even more than usual when it came to keeping your home cool, it may be time to invest in a new HVAC system. But before you invest in a new system, it may be worth your while to have an energy analysis performed on your HVAC.

What to Expect in an Energy Analysis

Many quality HVAC service contractors offer an energy analysis to help gauge the performance of your HVAC system. This evaluation is especially valuable on older systems that may be costing you a small fortune extra in energy costs over newer, more efficient models. Some of the factors that many contractors will check in an analysis include:

  • Energy output and consumption
  • Air quality in the home
  • Air and temperature distribution
  • Inspection of equipment
  • Inspection for safety issues

Once the analysis is done, the contractor can recommend solutions for decreasing energy use and increasing efficiency. In many cases the HVAC system is still in good condition but just needs maintenance or maybe the addition of an automated thermostat to improve efficiency. In other cases, it may be worth the investment into a newer model that offers a much higher level of energy efficiency, paying for the new system in a matter of a year or two.

If you are tired of paying too much for your energy bill to cool and heat your home, call your local HVAC contractor to schedule an energy analysis and inspection of your HVAC system. It could make a big difference in your monthly energy bills.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
Buford, GA
(770) 475-9528

Balancing Room Temperatures

Many homes seem to be difficult to balance temperature. While one room is the perfect temperature, others seem to be too cold or too hot. There are several reasons that the temperature can be out of balance from room to room so the first step is to find the problem and work on getting it fixed. 

Common Causes

Temperature fluctuations are often due to airflow, meaning one room is getting more air and others are lacking. Checking the airflow is something most people can do themselves. Some systems have a damper on the individual supply runs that come from the main source. These are usually small metal handles that open or close the airflow to each room. Adjusting the dampers can increase the airflow to those needing it. 

If there are no dampers or they are not accessible, you can also adjust airflow at the registers in each room. This is not quite as effective but still can do the trick. Make sure all vents are open, including the return vents. 

When To Call A Service Technician

If balancing the airflow does not help, there may be other problems with your air conditioning and heating system that need to be checked by a professional. Some areas a technician can look at that can affect temperature balance are: 

  • Fan speed and function
  • Check duct work
  • Evaluate insulation
  • Check for obstructions 

Some amount of temperature imbalance can be expected, especially in two-story homes. However, if you have adjusted the airflow and you still have dramatic differences in room temperatures, it is time to have a professional check your system.  A system efficiency analysis by your HVAC professional will help you identify the source of the problem.

Saving Energy With Your Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are a terrific energy saving tool, but you can maximize your savings by using the device properly.  Programmable thermostats save energy by automatically changing the temperature setting inside your home to an energy efficient setting at pre-programmed times throughout the day.  When these times are programmed to coincide with the period you are at work or asleep, you will reduce your energy usage and can save about $180 per year without sacrificing comfort.

The EPA’s $180 per year savings figure is based on programming your thermostat to 8 degrees lower in the winter for 10 hours during the day and 8 hours at night and increasing the temperature in the summer 7 degrees for 10 hours during the day and by 4 degrees for 8 hours at night.

To achieve greater savings try setting the energy saving temperatures even lower in the winter and higher in the summer.  The greater the difference from your comfort setting the more you will save on energy costs.  You can also try reducing your winter comfort setting and increasing you summer comfort setting a degree or two.  Keep making adjustments until you find the energy saving and comfort settings that you are comfortable with and then leave the thermostat alone.

Avoid the temptation to override the programmed energy saving or comfort settings.  This habit will reduce your energy savings.  You are better off finding a good temperature program you are comfortable with than frequently overriding the energy saving or comfort temperature settings.  Programmable thermostats work best if you set the program and then forget about it and let it do its thing.

For additional ways to save energy on your heating and cooling, talk to your HVAC contractor about an HVAC system efficiency analysis.  They will analyze your HVAC system and recommend an energy efficiency package that will help your reduce your heating and cooling energy usage and cut your energy bills.