Energy Saving HVAC Systems

Published by: Tim Manson
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

As much as half of the energy used in your Connecticut home will go to heating and cooling. As such, making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, or HVAC system, can have a substantial effect on your utility bills, not to mention your own personal comfort. While having a reliable HVAC system in Connecticut is a great step towards lessening your bills, it’s also important to follow certain steps to increase your HVAC system’s efficiency.

First of all, a regular filter check every month is required, especially during months of heavy use like summer and winter months. If your filter looks dirty after a month, change it. Or, at the very least, change your filter every three months. A dirty filter could slow down your air flow, which will make it harder for the system to keep your home warm or cool. A clean filter can also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system, which if left unchecked, could lead to some expensive maintenance calls and possibly system failure. So make sure that filter is checked on a regular basis.

In addition to your own checks, make sure to have a technician come out and give your HVAC system in Connecticut a regular check up each year. Like any other complex piece of machinery, it’s important to have a professional give it a once over periodically.

Some other ways to save energy through your HVAC system are to install a programmable thermostat, seal your heating and cooling ducts and to make sure your equipment is properly installed.

A programmable thermostat is a great asset to people who are not home during the day or away for business on occasion. Just by setting your thermostat to pre-programmed settings, you can save you potentially hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs.

Ducts that move your air to and from a forced furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump can also be huge energy wasters, which is why sealing and insulating these ducts is so important. Doing so can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system a great deal, and of course save you money in the process. Focus initially on sealing ducts that run through your attic, basement or garage. You can use a duct sealant or metal backed tape to seal the seams and duct connections. After you’ve sealed the ducts, make sure to wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting too hot in the summer or cold in the winter. After that, check for any other accessible ducts you can seal in the heated or cooled part of the house.

It seems obvious, but it’s important to make sure your HVAC system is installed properly. Replacing your old system with an energy efficient model is a great start, but you won’t get the performance you’re expecting if it’s not installed correctly. If the system is not installed properly, your home (and your wallet) could take a bit hit when your first utility bill arrives, not to mention possibly shorten the overall life of the equipment. If you think you’re not saving as much as you should be, contact your installation company and have them come out for a check up.

Aspects that should be checked for proper installation include the proper sizing of equipment, sealing ducts, the proper refrigerant charge, and optimizing air flow. All these things can and should be easily checked by a professional HVAC technician in Connecticut to create the best possible outcome for your home, your family, and your finances.

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