8 Tips to Save Money on Heating & Cooling

Surprisingly staying cool or warm is not expensive anymore. There are many ways to keep your energy costs down. If you’re looking to stay comfortable all year-round, even though it might not be the most exciting job to do, learning how to keep your home healthy can save you a lot of money. 

For starters, understanding how your heating & cooling system works is key, that’s why we created a complete home maintenance checklist, with this expert HVAC list stay cool, keep your wallet happy, and your family healthy, during every season through the entire year. 

Here are your eight top money-saving tips on your HVAC system  

1) Swap your filters. You should be doing this at least every 90 days. They stop dust and other nasty air pollutants from entering your home, so should be your first port of call for any maintenance. If you don't replace them regularly they make it harder for your system to push air through your house and can even make your air quality worse. 

Takeaway: Did you know that dirty air filters are the # 1 cause of air conditioning breakdowns and they add about 7 percent more in energy costs in hot climates?

2) Check for leaks. Leaky ducts can increase your energy bills by up to 30% a year! So while you're spring cleaning, consider checking your system for leaks. You should be able to feel big drafts with your hands, but for smaller ones try lighting incense and looking for leaks around connections and pipes, then fix them with duct tape. Your energy bills will thank you for it.

Takeaway: If your home was built in the past 10 years or so, it probably has well-sealed ductwork. But if you live in an older home, 10% to 40% of your cooling dollars is lost through gaps in the duct joints. This cool air is wasted when the ducts run through an attic, crawl space, or basement.

3) Change your batteries. This one is key. Over 50,000 Americans visit the emergency room every year because of carbon monoxide poisoning. So make sure you test your thermometers, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year to help keep you and your family safe. It only takes 5 minutes and is one of the most crucial actions you can take.

Takeaway: It only takes 5 minutes!

4) Find out the optimum temperature for your system. Check your user manual to see if there's a recommended temperature. Just like the pressure in your tires, heating and air conditioning systems are built with ideal settings in mind. Consider running your system at these temperatures to keep it efficient and avoid costly repairs.

Takeaway: You should try to keep your room temperature around 20°C, or 68°F.

5) Install a programmable thermostat. If you don’t already have one, consider installing a programmable thermostat so your system is only running when you need it most. Consider installing an automatic thermostat which we discuss in other blogs.

Takeaway: It saves Money. Perhaps the most significant benefit of a programmable thermostat, and the main reason why many customers switch to one, is its cost savings.

6) Check on your furnace. A clear blue flame indicates your furnace is burning healthily, if it looks orange you should give your repairman a call, as it could indicate incomplete fuel burning which is a big carbon monoxide risk.

Takeaways: ​​This will reduce your energy bill by up to 30%.

7) Make sure your maintenance has been done. This is incredibly important to keep your system running properly and efficiently. It’s often a requirement for the manufacturer’s warranty, so ensuring maintenance has been done this year could protect you from a nasty surprise should your system break down.

8) Time to replace? Finally, if you've ticked off all the items on this list but your energy bills still seem unusually high, it might be time to consider getting a consultation from an expert to see if it’s time to repair or replace the system. The average lifecycle of a system is 15-25 years, so if your system has been going since the 20th century, it might be time to replace it.

Last Takeaways: Last but not least. Points 7 & 8 are crucial to keeping your system running full steam ahead through the summer and all year-round. 

If you're looking for guidance on any of these points, or need a hand with maintenance and repairs, get in touch with our technicians for a free consultation.