Save Energy with Heating and Cooling Systems

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In a typical home, about half of the energy used is for heating and cooling. It's by far the largest energy expense, and the reason why energy efficient heating and cooling can have such a significant impact. Proper maintenance, sizing and use of heating and cooling equipment can help keep you comfortable while saving money on your energy bills.

Regular Maintenance is Key

To keep your system working efficiently, check the air filter each month and replace it when dirty - and at least every three months. Mark your calendar to remind yourself each month, and keep a log on or near the unit to keep track of when the filter was changed. Have your system checked in the spring and fall by a licensed HVAC contractor, to make sure everything is working. Regular maintenance will increase the system's energy efficiency, avoid system failures and lengthen the life of the equipment.

Use ENERGY STAR's 10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Contractor to help you select the right contractor.

Ducts Affect Energy Efficiency

Ducts are a major part of your heating and cooling system, responsible for bringing the heated or cooled air to the different rooms of your house. Ducts that aren't properly sized, sealed and insulated can make your heating or cooling system less efficient, which wastes energy, costs you money and often leads to uncomfortable conditions in your home.

Most homes have leaky ductwork, which lets that expensive heated or cooled air escape into the walls, crawl space or attic before it reaches its destination. This makes your system work harder to keep you comfortable, which adds to your utility costs. Have an energy assessor test your ducts to locate any leaks, and have them sealed up as soon as possible. Use mastic or metallic tape, and not duct tape which tends to fail sooner.
Insulate your ducts in unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces or attics, to keep the air inside the ducts warm (or cold) until it reaches its destination.
Are your ducts the right size for your heating and cooling equipment? Improperly-sized ducts are inefficient at getting the air to the rooms of the house, making your system work harder. You'll pay higher energy bills, and your system may fail sooner. Have your ducts checked by a home energy auditor or a heating and cooling contractor. Consider changing your ducts when you get a new heating and cooling system.

You can save on your heating and cooling costs by replacing old equipment with new, energy efficient equipment. If your air conditioner or heat pump is more than 12 years old, you can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling costs with an ENERGY STAR model. And if your furnace is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional model.

Is it time to replace your heating or cooling equipment?

Size Matters!

When it comes to heating and cooling equipment, bigger doesn't always mean better. Oversized equipment can be excessively noisy, and tends to cycle on and off more frequently than necessary, which can shorten the life of the unit. It may be less effective at heating or cooling the space, causing uncomfortable conditions.

On the other hand, undersized equipment is less efficient, causing increased wear on the system's components, which can lead to premature system failure. Need help? Contact your local Home Energy Team.