How To Improve Home Energy-Efficiency

Nobody wants to spend extra money on their Texas energy bills. Unfortunately, many homeowners find themselves paying hefty bills to keep their homes comfortable—especially during the sweltering DFW summer months. Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to go about reducing your energy costs. Here are some tips on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency:

1. Invest in a New Thermostat

If your home still has an “old-school” mercury dial thermostat, then it’s time for an upgrade. Programmable thermostats are inexpensive these days, and they allow you to schedule when and how your home’s HVAC system funs. T

his means you can save money by turning your system off while you’re at work; you can then have it set to kick on just before you arrive home so that your home is always at a comfortable temperature.

2. Change Air Filters Regularly

When was the last time you changed your air filter? If it’s been more than a few months, you probably have a dirty air filter that needs to be swapped out. When air filters become clogged, they can cause your HVAC system to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, thus reducing your home’s energy efficiency.

Air filters typically cost just a few bucks and only take five minutes of your time to replace, so be sure to replace them at least once every 90 days.

3. Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance

Regular HVAC inspections and maintenance are a great way to keep your system running as efficiently as possible. When performing maintenance, an HVAC technician can discover and make small repairs that will improve the efficiency and longevity of your system, thus saving you money in the long run.

If you’re not already having maintenance performed on your home’s HVAC system at least twice a year, now is the time to start scheduling it. If nothing else, this regular maintenance can provide you with additional peace of mind as a homeowner.

4. Check Your Landscaping

If you have a central air conditioning unit on your property, make sure to keep an eye on the landscaping around the outdoor unit. Overgrown shrubs, grass, and plants can obstruct your AC unit‘s ventilation and cause it to work harder than it needs to in order to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Over time, debris from landscaping can also build up within the system and cause serious issues. By simply taking the time to keep the landscaping around your A/C unit trimmed back, you can avoid a lot of problems and keep the HVAC unit running as efficiently as possible.

5. Have Your Ductwork Insulated

Is there exposed ductwork in your home? If so, then you may want to have this exposed ductwork insulated. Doing so is relatively inexpensive, but it can make a huge difference when it comes to your home’s energy efficiency.

Specifically, when air ducts are insulated, the air that travels through them is less susceptible to influence from outdoor temperatures. This can help prevent your home’s HVAC system from working harder than it needs to, which in turn keeps your home more comfortable and can potentially cut down on your energy bills.

6. Take Advantage of Window Treatments

Did you know that you can use window treatments to improve your home’s energy efficiency? Specifically, blinds and blackout curtains can be effective in trapping heat inside your home during cooler days, thus improving your heater’s efficiency. They also work to keep unwanted warmth out of your home on hot days, thus keeping your living space cooler without the need for additional work from your A/C unit.

Learn More or Find HVAC Help

These are just a few of the countless ways to improve energy efficiency in your home and potentially save you money on your energy bills as a result.

For help maintaining your HVAC system, contact our professional team at Comfort Masters Heating and Air Conditioning. We specialize in everything from HVAC maintenance and tune-ups to repairs and full replacements.