Bringing your HVAC up to 100% efficiency is not an easy task. But if you can do it, you can set yourself up for tremendous success (not to mention enjoying lower energy bills).
However, achieving this level of efficiency takes work. You need to know what you are doing.
That is where this post can help. It looks at the tasks you need to complete to keep your HVAC where you want it to be (in terms of efficiency).
Change The Filters Regularly
If you really want your HVAC to work the way you want, you need to change the filters regularly. Most experts recommend swapping old ones out for new ones every one to three months, depending on usage. If you can stop dirt and small particles getting into the system, you can often increase the life of HVAC systems dramatically.
Seal Ducts With Mastic
Another thing you can do is seal ducts with mastic. If they are leaking and changing the temperature distribution, that can reduce efficiency. But keeping the air self-contained reverses all that.
A lot of professionals now also offer sealant solutions. They simply pump these into the ducting to seal cracks and gaps.
Clean Your Ducting
If you can get professional duct cleaning in your area, that is also useful. Proper cleaning reduces the risk of dirt getting into the system and gumming up the works. It also means that the ducting will be less prone to damage over the long term.
Upgrade To A Variable Blower
A lot of older HVAC systems have a single-speed blower. These constantly run at their maximum, determined by the current running to them.
However, if you have a variable unit, you can save energy. These just blow at the rate required by the thermostat, using less electricity. You can also sometimes program them for even higher efficiency if you notice you do not need them to blow so hard.
Balance Airflow
Another pro tip is to balance airflow throughout the system. Ideally, you will want to do this room by room.
The top tip is to use registers in unused rooms. You also want to put in things like dampers since these make zoning much easier.
Schedule Maintenance
As dull as it might sound, scheduling maintenance is also essential for your system. Keeping on top of things and ensuring that everything is running smoothly is essential.
The benefits of regular maintenance are significant. Some studies suggest that homeowners who regularly maintain their HVACs can experience efficiency improvements of up to 10%. Furthermore, because there are not any parts grinding against each other, they also last longer and do not require constant replacement.
Install A Smart Thermostat
Finally, if you have not done so already, it is a good idea to install a smart thermostat. This lets you adjust things like temperature automatically.
What is nice about these systems is how they learn. Smart thermostats can often predict what you want and then use that to lower energy consumption. There are plenty of available models around today, from Nest to Ecobee.
