In the holiday spirit of things, we believe this is a good time this week to encourage our customers to add home energy efficiency to their list of New Year’s Resolutions for 2021.
It’s been estimated that homeowners in the United States spend on average $1,400 a year on energy, with home heating and cooling accounting for more than half of all the energy we use.
At Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling, we’ve made it our mission to provide Central Ohio residents the best and most affordable and innovative HVAC solutions the industry has to offer — HVAC products and services that help our family of customers enjoy safe, comfortable and energy efficient homes year-round.
Because we love helping homeowners save energy and money, the following is our list of 10 tips to save on energy costs in 2021:
Top 10 Energy Saving Tips for 2021
1. Replace your air filters regularly.
As air filters become dirty and obstructed, it forces our heating and cooling equipment to have to work harder than necessary. This needless strain on your HVAC equipment causes wear and tear and other damages as your home comfort systems work harder to maintain temperatures. By checking and changing all your air filters (as often as every month during the winter) you save money in a variety of ways, among them being energy costs.
2. Regular HVAC system maintenance is crucial.
Having one of our team members perform a tune-up and inspect your home heating and cooling systems prior to each season of usage will also save you on energy costs, which will keep you and your family safe and comfortable all year long. Additionally, having a certified HVAC technician perform seasonal maintenance on your A/C and furnace is the best way to avoid having to deal with breakdowns and other unexpected problems, which tend to occur when we least expect them. Ultimately, the savings also include the peace of mind knowing your equipment is going to perform optimally, not to mention it’s going to last many more years to come.
3. Seal air leaks in your ductwork.
Unless your air duct system is new, it’s a good idea to check it to look for any air leaks. If there is damage, dents, holes or if it’s gotten loose around the joints and seams, finding and fixing air leakage will save you substantial money in many ways. Because heating and cooling accounts for so much energy being used in a home, it is crucial to keep all the treated air inside your home from escaping as well as keep it free flowing to where it needs to go in order to keep your system running like it was meant to. If you suspect there might be a leak in your air ducts, give us a call right away as we’d be more than happy to help!
4. Proactively upgrade any outdated HVAC equipment.
If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 to 15 years old, it’s always a good idea to begin to consider an appropriate time to replace it. By planning ahead, and staying ahead of the curve, you can avert major system failures, expensive repair costs and massive energy drains that add up over time. The energy savings are so much, in fact, that often homeowners discover their new equipment cuts their heating and cooling costs in half. Often, the ends (as in the savings) justify the means (the cost of installing it), especially when one accounts for the cumulative costs of repairing an old system that’s still going to need to be replaced sooner or later.
5. Invest in a whole-home humidifier.
Investing in a whole-home humidifier can save you as much as a quarter of your heating costs, not to mention all the health benefits that come with having one. The reason they help you save so much is because humidity keeps warm air inside a home much longer. Humidifiers hold heat and make heated air feel warmer. As a bonus, humidifiers help everyone sleep and breathe better, preventing skin from drying out in addition to preventing static electricity from becoming a problem. There are also health benefits and benefits to the wood in your home, which can dry out and become damaged in winter’s arid air.
6. Get a smart thermostat upgrade.
If you haven’t done so yet, check into the many advantages of having your thermostat upgraded. Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat (or Wi-Fi Thermostat) will save you all sorts of hard-earned money. Smart thermostats (and even programmable thermostats) are very affordable nowadays. They’re smart-home friendly and they pay for themselves in no time. These modern devices enable you to adjust your home’s temperature from your smartphone, tablet or any other device. They also learn your schedule to adjust themselves automatically while you’re sleeping or while you’re away at work to give your system, and budget, a hard-earned break.
7. Use cooler water in washing appliances.
A lot of washing appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, use a lot of heated water from your water supply whenever you use them. When you use these home appliances, keep this in mind. Heating up all that water costs more when it’s colder outside. You might be surprised by how well you can manage by using cooler water. It’s certainly one way to save money. Some homeowners even lower the temperature on their hot water heaters as well.
8. Shut your chimney flue.
Everyone knows how fireplaces can be nice and warm and festive. Fireplaces are popular this time of year because they add that wonderful holiday ambiance. Nevertheless, leaving your chimney’s flue damper open all winter is extremely wasteful as the energy drainage is expensive! An open flue enables a ton of warmed air to run up and escape out your chimney in a hurry. This, in turn, forces your system to have to work overtime to heat your home. In the end, this makes energy bills go sky high just like that warm air — all the while putting unnecessary strain on your system that causes premature wear and tear.
9. Consider upgrading to more energy-efficient windows.
Although this can be a bit pricey, newer windows that are designed to save energy can pay for themselves quickly, especially when the windows you have are energy-draining deviants that were installed a long time ago. Merely getting an estimate on replacement costs with the estimated savings will give you an idea of how much you’re wasting, or even better how much you’d be saving. Most of these quotes are free by the way, aside from the cost and convenience of your time — a price that’s well worth paying for considering the insight you gain in your current windows.
10. Clean baseboard heaters and air registers and keep them open.
In addition to keeping certain things in the home that give off heat like these free of clutter and clean, it’s essential to make sure there isn’t any sort of carpeting, furniture or draperies obstructing airflow around them as well. If anything is hindering the flow of heat that your radiators, baseboards and registers are releasing, it will likely make your system have to operate in longer cycles, which will cost you more money. Quite simply, it’s just good practice to keep them clean for safety as well as efficiency reasons.
We are happy to help with all your HVAC needs in 2021. Don’t hesitate to call!!!
If you are considering possible ways to save on energy costs in 2021, to ensure your HVAC equipment is running smoothly, or if you need any other kind of assistance related to any kind of HVAC system, don’t delay giving us a call right away! We have a whole team of friendly experts who are standing by who can guide you through any sort of HVAC problem stress free!
To learn more, or to book an appointment with an expert technician, call Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling today at 740-212-5849, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
In the meantime, from our family to yours, Have a Happy and Energy-Efficient New Year!
