How To Better Improve Heating Efficiency With Heating And AC Repair | Azle, TX
An inefficient system can use up a lot of energy, skyrocketing your utility costs. Thankfully, there are ways to make your heating and cooling system more efficient, helping you conserve more energy and save more money. An efficient heating system can also prevent costly heating and AC repair service. Read this article if you want to learn effective tips in conserving energy at home. If you have further questions, please contact our heating and AC repair service technician in Azle, TX.
Tips to make your heating system more efficient:
Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance
A broken furnace or air conditioner can leave your home uncomfortable during summer and winter. In some cases, your home may even be dangerous. Remember, dirty furnaces can spew allergens and mold into your home, and carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous. A gas leak can also cause an explosion.
When the HVAC systems are not well maintained, they are going to work harder and use up more energy. Also, worn-out parts will cost more in replacements and repairs. The only way to keep your heating and cooling system up and running is to regularly maintain it. It’s ideal to contact a heating and air conditioning repair service technician in Azle, TX, at least a month before summer and winter for a regular inspection. Regular maintenance will give you peace of mind, knowing that your system will work efficiently. making your home comfortable and safe during summer and winter.
Also, make sure to only hire licensed heating and AC repair service technicians to ensure the job is properly carried out. There are risks associated with hiring unlicensed heating and AC repair service technicians — they may not be fully equipped and they don’t have insurance. When they get injured on the job, you will have to pay for their medical expenses. If they don’t have the proper tools, they may ask you to purchase them and this can cost you more money.
Weatherize and Insulate Your Home
To save energy, it’s important to keep the heated and cooled air inside your home. You can achieve this by adding proper insulation and weatherizing your home. Below are some effective tips to help you achieve this:
- Add insulation to the attic and crawl spaces. If possible, contact a heating and AC repair service technician for assistance. Our technicians can inspect your living spaces and give you advice on how to insulate them and where to add insulation to make your home more energy-efficient.
- Install ENERGY STAR windows to ensure that the heated and cooled air stays inside. These types of windows are also sound-proof, ideal for those homeowners that want a quieter home. Also, these windows are highly durable, adding more protection to your home against burglars. Most importantly, they can make your home energy-efficient. So long as your windows are properly installed and well-maintained, it should help you conserve more energy and save money. For installation, please make sure to only hire licensed heating and AC repair service technicians.
- Blown-in insulation is effective at filling gaps between the interior walls and the outside surfaces. Contact a professional in Azle, TX, to help you install them.
- Look for any drafts in the windows and doors and make sure that you properly seal them up. Should you need assistance, feel free to contact a professional.
- Check the utility cables for any gaps and cracks and fix them too.
- Consider installing plug protectors in the electrical plugs to prevent heat loss.
Install Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat can help your home become more energy-efficient by automatically adjusting your home’s temperature in response to changes caused by sunlight, your habits, and preferences. Some smart thermostats can even monitor the temperature in your home 24/7, making it more efficient.
If you need help deciding what smart thermostat to purchase or when you’re ready to install one, please contact our heating and AC repair service technician for assistance. Our team can guide you through choosing the best thermostat suitable for your needs.
Change the Air Filter
This is non-negotiable. You must change the air filters every couple of months to ensure clean indoor air quality and to ensure a more efficient heating and cooling system. Dirty filters can block airflow, affecting your HVAC system’s efficiency. Check the filters every month and change them when dirty. Otherwise, replace it the following month.
When to change the filters also depends on the types of filters used, how often you are using the HVAC system and how large your living spaces are. The larger the home, the more often you need to change your filters.
Some homeowners may also need to invest in specialized filters especially if some family members suffer from asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues. HEPA and UV filters are a good option because they have high MERV ratings, making them more effective at trapping airborne contaminants.
Always follow specific recommendations from the manufacturers in replacing the filters or contact our heating and AC repair service technicians in Azle, TX, for assistance.
Get a Heat Recovery Ventilator
Another way to improve the efficiency of your heating system is to install a heat recovery ventilator that can capture heat from the exhaust air and mix them up with the fresher air. These devices are also effective at removing mold, odors, and other airborne contaminants. They can help capture up to 90 percent of the heat that can be lost outside.
Install Reflectors and Bleed the Radiators
Let the air out in your radiators to ensure that your HVAC system is heating your home efficiently. Air can get trapped inside the coils and this can impair the radiator’s ability to emit heat.
Follow these steps to bleed your radiator:
- Turn off your heating first
- Find the bleed valve located on the top of the radiator
- You can turn it off using a key or by using pliers
- Turn it counterclockwise and listen for the hissing sounds. The sound means air is escaping
- When water comes out instead of air, that means that you have successfully removed the air block. Close the valve afterward
If you need assistance with this, please contact a licensed heating and AC repair service technician in Azle, TX.
You can also improve the efficiency of your radiator by installing reflectors or thin sheets placed between the coil and your wall. The thin sheets or foil should reflect heat back into the living space rather than lose it. This can work so long as the radiator is attached to a wall facing outside or when your home has poor insulation.
Acquire an Energy-Efficient Heating System
Furnaces can last up to 15 years or even longer when it’s properly maintained. However, it may lose its efficiency as it ages. When you keep paying for repairs or you keep getting higher energy bills, it may be time to invest in an energy-efficient heating system. While they cost more than the conventional heating systems, you get to also save money in the long run.
Do you need help choosing a new heating system for your home? Feel free to contact our heating and AC repair service technicians for assistance.
Seal the Cooling and the Heating Ducts
To help improve the efficiency of your heating system, make sure to seal and insulate the ductwork. Doing this can help you save up to 20 percent of your energy bills.
Focus on sealing the ducts in the unheated basement, attic, crawlspace, or garage. Consider using duct sealant or foil tape to seal the connections of ducts and the seams. Wrap them up after insulating them. For further assistance, please contact a heating and AC repair service technician in Azle, TX.
Energy-Wasting Habits in Your Home
You can save more money by identifying energy-wasting habits and eliminating them. Make sure you avoid these biggest energy-wasting habits to help your HVAC system, conserve more energy, and save more money in the long run. If you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our heating and AC repair service technician in your area.
Setting the Thermostat Too High or Too Low
When you set the thermostat and suddenly forget about it, you may be wasting more energy because the temperatures can vary throughout the day and in each room. Rooms can get overheated when the sun shines in. This means that your HVAC system will only work harder, using up more energy. Eventually, this can also lead to costly heating and AC repair service.
To resolve this problem, consider installing a programmable thermostat or energy-efficient smart thermostat for your home. Should you need more information about this, feel free to contact our heating and AC repair service technicians in the area.
Not Fixing Air Leaks
Identifying drafts, gaps, and cracks in your home can prevent energy loss. Not having enough insulation in the attic, basement and crawl spaces are also some of the biggest energy wasters. Fix drafts and gaps to ensure the heated and cooled air stays inside your home. Always contact a heating and AC repair service professional if you need more assistance.
Not Changing the Air Filters
As mentioned earlier in this article, dirty filters can affect the efficiency of your HVAC system. This doesn’t only result in more energy usage, your HVAC system will also have to work harder. Eventually, you will end up calling a heating and AC repair service technician when the system suddenly breaks down.
Leaving Appliances and Electronic Devices Plugged in
You may think that no energy is wasted when the appliance is not in use. Even when the appliance is not in use but plugged in, your area is still using electricity. And standby mode can consume more electricity, accounting for up to 10 percent of energy use.
Not Turning Off the Lights
Are the lights in empty rooms still on? While you’re only wasting about 12 cents to keep a 100-watt bulb for 10 hours, you are still wasting energy. And the energy waste can add up over time. If your goal is to conserve more energy in the long run, it’s time to implement good habits.
You can also save more money by using LED light bulbs. Compared to incandescent bulbs, they use up to 80 percent less energy.
Running the Washing Machine and Dishwasher When it’s Not Full
To maximize your energy savings, make sure that the washer, dryer, and dishwasher are actually full. Running them with only half load will only result in more energy consumption as you will be using them more.
Washing your dishes and clothes in hot water also consumes more energy. Use cold water instead.
Cooking Meals Multiple Times
You can conserve more energy by preparing your meals all at once. Turning up your oven or stove stop multiple times a day is not ideal as you are wasting more energy. If you’re using the oven and the air conditioner, make sure to close the oven door or your AC will have to work harder. You can avoid costly heating and AC repair service when you don’t put a strain on your cooling system.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth
If you need HVAC repairs or installations for your home in Azle, TX, please don’t hesitate to hire one of our heating and AC repair service technicians. All of our team members are certified and highly experienced in tackling any HVAC-related issue, big or small. Whether the unit is leaking water or simply won’t run, our heating and AC repair service technician can help. We have the right tools to help us diagnose the problem and to resolve them promptly. Our HVAC truck is also fully equipped, so if something else comes up, we will do our best to fix the problem on the same day.
One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth is a trusted company serving residents and businesses in the area. We offer a wide range of HVAC services including a 24/7 emergency service. Contact us today for an appointment.