If your heating or cooling system isn’t operating at its full potential, then it’s doing less than its job. When it comes to efficiency, there are several things you can do to improve it. Fortunately, most heating and cooling systems will last for 20 to 30 years, so these improvements can be implemented while keeping your system’s long-term performance in mind. Improving the efficiency of your heating and cooling system will also lower your monthly energy bills. Efficiency improvements are often overlooked as they don’t seem like things that would add value to your home. However, when you calculate the cost of retrofitting your HVAC system with energy efficient parts and controls based on today’s costs, it almost always pays for itself within two years.

Change your filters regularly

One of the easiest things you can do to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system is to change your air filters regularly. Air filters trap microscopic dust and other particles, preventing them from entering the air ducts and affecting your HVAC system. Over time, these particles can build up on filters and reduce their effectiveness. When this happens, you’re likely to experience higher energy bills, as your HVAC system has to work harder to condition the air in your home. Changing your air filters will help make sure that your system doesn’t have to work as hard to condition the air in your home. This will also help to extend the life of your HVAC system, which will save you money in the long run. You can typically replace your filters once a month.

Switch to R410A

Rigid or non-flexible ducting is a common mistake that leads to lower HVAC system efficiency. When you use rigid ducts, your HVAC system has to work harder to move the air through the ducts. This leads to more strain on the HVAC system and higher energy bills as a result. Fortunately, there is a solution: R-410A flexible ducting. R-410A ducting allows your HVAC system to move the air through the ducts more easily, leading to more efficient operation and lower energy bills. You can retrofit your HVAC system with R-410A flexible ducting fairly easily, so it’s worth considering if your system is running rigid ducting.

Make sure your ductwork is insulated

Ductwork that is not properly insulated could be leading to lower HVAC system efficiency. The ductwork in your HVAC system serves as a channel for moving air throughout your home. Unfortunately, uninsulated ducts can lead to a loss of energy efficiency. This is because the ducts will conduct heat from the outdoors to your home and vice versa, making it more difficult for your HVAC system to maintain a consistent temperature. You can retrofit your HVAC system with insulated ductwork fairly easily, so it’s worth considering if your system is not currently insulated.

Go digital with your thermostat

Most thermostat styles will still work fine with a digital thermostat, but there are a few benefits to using a digital thermostat. First, a digital thermostat is more energy efficient than an analog one. This is because digital thermostats are more accurate. They can be programmed to change their settings based on the time of day, providing a more consistent temperature throughout the day. In addition to being more energy efficient, digital thermostats are also easier to maintain. Many digital thermostats come with Wi-Fi technology, which allows you to monitor and control your system from an app on your phone.

Repair air leaks

Leaks in your ductwork can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system. These leaks can be caused by damaged duct work, or by an area of ductwork that is not properly connected. If you’re experiencing higher than normal energy bills, or if your system is not heating or cooling your home as efficiently as it should be, a good place to start is to look for air leaks. You can do this by turning off your HVAC system and placing a few containers around your home. This will help you identify which areas of your home are leaking the most air.

Add a smart thermostat

A smart thermostat can help you save money, as well as provide a more consistent temperature in your home. A smart thermostat is similar to a digital thermostat, but with the added ability to control your HVAC system remotely. This means that you can program your thermostat to adjust its settings based on the time of day, the weather, and your HVAC system’s usage. This can help you to reduce your energy bills while also providing a more consistent temperature in your home. There are a few different types of smart thermostats available, but they are relatively easy to install and can be controlled remotely via an app on your phone.

Conclusion

While it may not seem like something that could have a significant impact on your HVAC system’s efficiency, the type of filters you use can have a dramatic effect on your bills. While you can’t really improve the efficiency of your HVAC system overnight, there are several things that you can do to improve the efficiency of your system over time. These include changing your filters regularly, switching to R-410A, making sure your ductwork is insulated, going digital with your thermostat, repairing air leaks, and adding a smart thermostat.