Energy Saving Tips for Your A/C System on Earth Day

Since its creation in 1969, Earth Day has served as a global reminder to take a look at what you do on a daily basis to make the world a better place. Something many of us might not think about is how to save energy via your air conditioner. But did you know this system makes up 46 percent of our combined energy use? As this year’s Earth Day approaches, let’s take a look at a few energy saving tips you can implement to use your HVAC system as efficiently as possible:

Change Your Air Filter

A dirty air filter requires your system to work harder, not smarter. This increases your energy use and your utility bill. We recommend changing your air filter monthly to maintain the most efficient process.

Tune-up Your HVAC Equipment

Preventative maintenance is important because they identify issues before they become incredibly expensive and energy-inefficient. These are most important before the winter and summer months.

Trim Foliage and Keep Your Gutters Clean

Clogged gutters and overcrowding can drastically decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system. It’s important to keep the moisture levels in check because the presence of water greatly affects your indoor air quality. Spend a few hours spring cleaning and allow your system to run at its peak performance.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A constant back-and-forth between cold and hot on your thermostat wastes an unnecessary amount of energy. Installing a programmable thermostat is an affordable way to precisely control the temperature in your home according to your specific schedule, giving you the perfect temperature throughout the day and conserving energy.

Seal Your Heating and Cooling Ducts

These ducts are designed to move air from your HVAC system through your home. Through this process, it’s common for the ductwork to leak up to 30 percent of its airflow. Save that wasted energy (and money) by simply sealing your ductwork. Doing so eliminates air loss, improves system efficiency, and reduces your HVAC costs.

Next Level Energy Saving Tips

Do you already follow most of the steps are above? Here are some additional ways you can take care of our planet:

1. Buy Green Power

This requires a higher budget, but has big environmental pay-offs. Buying green power means signing up for completely renewable energy from your power company. This energy comes from resources like the sun, wind and water. Here in Indy, Duke Energy and Indianapolis Power and Light offer these green power solutions.

2. Upgrade to LED Lights

Consume 75 percent less energy by switching out your old incandescent light bulbs for LED lighting. Bonus: LED bulbs last up to 50 times longer than incandescent lights and up to five times longer than fluorescent bulbs, saving you time, money and energy.

3. Purchase High-Efficiency HVAC Systems

This one takes a bit more planning than the steps listed above, but give us a call if you’re interested in making the jump to a high-energy-efficient HVAC system. We’ll help you determine if you’re a good candidate.

For more information on how to save energy or to schedule an HVAC tune-up, give us a call at 317-203-8149. Happy Earth Day!