The HVAC system uses more than half of the energy in an average American home. Depending on the weather, it may need to run for more than 12 hours a day, causing utility bills to rise quickly. However, you can reduce energy costs by making your system run more efficiently. Here are several tips to help you do this.

How to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

1. Insulate the Walls

When your home has sufficient insulation, air cannot pass through the walls easily. This means that the home will maintain cool temperatures in the summer and warm temperatures in winter, reducing how often your HVAC system must run. To improve how well your home holds air, add insulation to the walls and attic, replace your windows with double-pane models, and seal any openings around doors.

You can also wrap exposed air ducts with an insulating cloth to prevent them from losing air as it travels throughout the home. This keeps your HVAC system from running too often to meet your target temperature.

2. Maintain Your Equipment

When your HVAC system operates correctly, the parts will work together and take less power to run. Schedule a service appointment to perform maintenance on your system at least once a year. This ensures that you can repair any minor issues before they become more significant.

Also, remember that the life span for an air conditioner is usually around 15 years. When it reaches this age, it likely will no longer run efficiently, even with regular maintenance. Replace older systems with Energy Star® appliances, which meet modern energy efficiency standards.

3. Improve Airflow

Most HVAC systems take in room temperature air, pass it over a hot or cold surface to change its temperature, and blow it back into the home. The more easily the air flows, the less energy the system’s fans will require. Clean your intake vents regularly to keep dust off the coils and allow the air to enter. Then, change the filters every one to three months.

Your outdoor AC unit also needs sufficient airflow to cool the refrigerant. To keep air flowing freely, keep vegetation at least one foot away on all sides of the outdoor unit. Inside, move furniture away from all vents and grates so that they do not block the circulation.

If you need HVAC maintenance or want to upgrade your equipment, schedule an appointment with Air One Heating & Cooling LLC in Foley, AL. For over 20 years, this family-owned company has been serving Baldwin County, offering same-day appointments for residential and commercial clients. Call (251) 967-1665 to speak to a team member about your needs. Visit the website for more information about their services.