Lower energy bills and exceptional comfort do not have to be incompatible. By taking a careful look at your HVAC system, you can achieve both home comfort and energy efficiency. There are three parts to your system that you should evaluate.

Unit Efficiency

The efficiency of your HVAC unit will have a major impact on the amount of energy you use in your home. The units in most homes have an AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency rating, of about 60 percent. A well-maintained system might get up to 93 percent efficiency, saving you 33 percent on your costs.

One thing that you can do to improve your unit’s efficiency is to check the condition of your filters and clean or replace them when necessary. Also ensure that your HVAC unit is functioning at peak efficiency by scheduling regular maintenance. In addition to keeping the unit working smoothly, a professional can let you know if any parts are in need of replacement or repair.

Ducts

Another part of your system that could be costing you money is your ductwork. Loose ducts or ductwork could be spilling your heating and cooling out before it can even reach your rooms. You or a professional should carefully inspect your ducts and all of the connections to ensure they are as air tight as possible. You should also make sure that all of your ducts are well insulated with fiberglass duct wrap.

The Thermostat

The thermostat that controls your home’s heating and cooling is also key to both home comfort and energy efficiency. In large part, you determine how effective it can be. Avoid doing things that make in run inefficiently:

• Adjust the temperature when you are away from home to get savings, since you don’t need a toasty house when you are not there
• Adjust the temperature when you are asleep, since a couple of blankets can save you a lot
• Don’t raise the temperature to high to get heating faster.

These tips can help you maintain home comfort and energy efficiency. If you have further questions, please contact Smoky Mountain Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home comfort and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!