Heating your home using a furnace or boiler during the winter season probably costs you a lot of money, but cooling your home in the summer can be expensive also. Here are several simple and inexpensive methods you can use to help reduce heating and cooling energy costs for your Allentown, PA, home.
Schedule Maintenance Services for Your HVAC System
It’s wise to call in a professional HVAC technician to complete routine maintenance on your AC system before using it during the summer and heating system before winter. If you haven’t done so yet, schedule a maintenance visit because it’s never too late. These tune-up services allow the technician to identify any major problems that might reduce your system’s efficiency.
Some common maintenance tasks include checking the blower apparatus and electrical system. Proper maintenance and repair services on your HVAC can help cut down on energy costs throughout the summer and winter.
Keep Blinds Drawn or Shades Pulled
Instead of blasting the air conditioner when the outdoor temperature is at its highest, you can block the sun’s rays by closing your drapes. When the temperatures drop at night, you can keep windows open to let in the cooler air. During the winter months, allow sunlight through the windows to help warm your home.
Adjust the Thermostat
You can save energy and money by adjusting the thermostat to a higher temperature in summer and lower in winter. A smaller temperature difference between the outdoors and indoors will cut energy costs. Consider using a smart thermostat to help keep the house warmer or cooler when you’re away and then automatically readjust before you come back.
Schedule Seasonal Maintenance
Preparing your air conditioner for the summer season will ensure unrestricted flow of air in your home, which helps reduce your energy bill. Check for and clean any accumulated debris in the air filters or coils. Furnace maintenance in the fall can catch small repairs before they can turn into large repairs.
During AC maintenance, the technician should check for and seal any refrigerant leaks. The air filters also need changing, so you should set a reminder about changing the air filters monthly. Furnace maintenance includes checking the heat exchanger, and fuel input.
Invest in a Ceiling Fan
Using a ceiling fan to make the air feel cooler during the summer is less expensive than running an air conditioner to lower the temperature. Run the ceiling fan in a counterclockwise direction to create a breeze in your room. However, since ceiling fans cool people and not the air, it would be best to only turn on the ceiling fans when you’re in the room to save on electricity. Reverse the direction of ceiling fans for the winter months.
Using these tips, it’s possible to feel comfortable year-round without breaking the bank in Allentown, PA. When you need help with an upgrade, contact us at Sullivan Oil and Propane to schedule HVAC installation, maintenance and repair services.
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