Many of our Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning customers ask us what they can do to make their HVAC system operate more efficiently in times of economic crisis. While an HVAC system that is well maintained and functional can help improve the efficiency of your home’s energy consumption, some older systems can become less efficient over time. Here are things you can do to improve the heating and cooling efficiency of your home:
Keep the air vent lines and trunk lines clean
Your ventilation system’s efficiency can be increased by as much as 15% by keeping it clean. This can be achieved by vacuuming and dusting each vent regularly, hiring the best air duct cleaning company, like Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning, every few years and changing out the air duct filter regularly.
Ceiling fans can be used for heating and cooling
Ceiling fans are a cost-efficient way to heat or cool your home in winter and summer. They circulate air throughout the house. Many houses today have taller ceilings and while they may add to the looks, they take away from heating and cooling efficiency. In the summer, turn the fan direction so that it blows down to the floor. In the winter, turn the fan direction so that it pulls air up to the ceiling. By using a ceiling fan to circulate the air, you can cut down on the amount of time your HVAC system is operating.
Install a zoning controller for your HVAC
You can divide your home into zones and set the temperature in each zone with a zoning control. This can reduce the energy required to heat or cool each room, which can result in higher energy efficiency and greater energy savings. We have many Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning customers with bigger houses that have two and even three zones and some even have an additional unit.
Seal leaks around your outside home and in your ductwork
A way to improve efficiency of the HVAC system is to make sure your house is properly insulated and sealed. Make sure the windows and doors are sealed properly and not leaking air.
Your ductwork needs to be sealed as well so that the air is traveling to the location it is supposed to go to. Many houses we encounter have cracks, holes and loose fitting parts which allow air to escape along the way. This can cause the efficiency of the system to be reduced by 40-50 percent.
Get a smart HVAC thermostat
You can control your home’s temperature remotely with a little planning. You can, for example, set your thermostat to run at a lower level when you are on vacation or turn it on immediately to get rid of the cold fall air.
The thermostat learns about your preferences and adjusts your heating or cooling system to suit your needs. This will save you money on your utility bills. The thermostat can notify you when your filters need to be changed or when maintenance is due.
Many thermostats have voice control and geofencing. This allows you to tell the system where you are, adjust the temperature, and then speak commands. You’ll need to choose a model that supports your voice assistant (Alexa or Google Assistant, Siri).
App-based controls
Modern smart thermostats are equipped with an app that provides real-time information about your HVAC system and alerts you when it is experiencing unusually high or low temperatures. You can also remotely control the unit using your smartphone, voice commands or both.
HVAC yearly inspection
To keep your home comfortable throughout the year, you need an efficient and effective HVAC system. An annual inspection of your heating and cooling system can help to ensure you get the best out of your equipment. It will also protect your family and save you money.
The average cost of an HVAC inspection will vary depending on where you live and how many contractors are needed. An inspection might cost slightly more in areas where there are higher living costs.
An HVAC technician will inspect your furnace, ductwork and air conditioner components to ensure they are in good working order. They will inspect your furnace, ductwork, and electrical components and conduct voltage testing and amp draws.
The technician will inspect your air conditioner for refrigerant levels. Also, common problems like low fan motor amp draw and dirty condenser coils. The technician will also check the static pressure and temperature drop of the evaporator coil.
Professionals will give you a detailed report that includes all elements inspected, their findings and recommendations for performance-improving repair. To help you understand the condition and extent of your system, a professional will take photos and provide detailed descriptions.
Use quality air filters and change them regularly
By using a high-quality filter, you will do a better job of keeping the HVAC system clean. By keeping it clean, you keep it operating at a high efficiency level. Some filters are too thin and allow dust, pollens and other air pollutants through, free to be circulated throughout your house.
Also make sure to change the filter every 3-4 months. This will allow maximum air to be able to flow through the filter allowing the blower motor to operate more easily, costing you less money.
Summary
While Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning is a top air duct cleaning company in the Des Moines metro area, we can’t offer the same level of inspection service as a certified HVAC company but we can keep your HVAC system clean.
Simple things like using ceiling fans, installing updated smart thermostats, adding insulation and sealing up your house and the ductwork, and changing a high-quality filter out on a regular basis are all good ways to help your HVAC system operate more efficiently. These days, we got to find ways to make the dollar last longer.
Des Moines Air Duct Cleaning is here to assist you with all your air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning needs. Give us a call today for a free quote.