Because of the worldwide pandemic called COVID-19, most people in most parts of the world, including the U.S., are forced to stay indoors. This is a step toward avoiding the spread of the deadly virus. Some companies have allowed their employees to work remotely from home while others have completely gone out of business.
Staying at home spells higher energy costs. That means more people are staying indoors who are regularly using energy-consuming devices such as lights, appliances, gadgets, and most especially, HVAC systems.
Given the fact that summer is almost here and your home’s utility costs are expected to go up, you should think of ways to at least minimize the amount of energy your home consumes. During this time of crisis, every dollar you save is significant.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted HVAC company in Champlin MN that offers superb HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services. We can make your HVAC systems run more efficiently.
Here are a few tips to consider if you want to lower your home’s energy consumption.
Switch to LED lights.
There is an array of benefits of using light-emitting diode (LED) lights over conventional home lighting. One of them is energy efficiency. LED lights generally use very low amounts of power. According to studies and experiences of people using LEDs, their overall lighting energy efficiency improves by as much as 60-75 percent. Depending on the existing bulbs and the type of LED lights installed in your home, the savings can be even as much as 90 percent compared to using incandescent lights.
Unplug unused electronic devices and appliances.
Modern homes are equipped with household appliances and electronic devices, which suck energy even when idle. According to the Direct Energy website, the energy costs of plugged-in devices can really pile up, and disconnecting these devices could save you up to $100 to $200 per year. Now, that’s a significant saving any homeowner can take advantage of!
If you have numerous appliances plugged in such as TV sets, satellite or cable boxes, microwave ovens, chargers, you should start unplugging them when not in use. These are energy vampires that consume small amounts of energy individually, but when calculated altogether, the numbers can be pretty serious.
To give you an idea of how much electricity your appliances and electronics devices consume when they’re sitting idle, use a handheld electricity monitor. Plug one of your appliances into an outlet, then, plug each device into the monitor. Afterwards, the monitor will display how many watts you’re using while the appliance is turned off. Do the same thing for other appliances and calculate the grand total.
Clean your filters.
Your HVAC system’s filters are responsible for ensuring your air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace has enough airflow. This is essential to the proper functioning of the entire system, making sure that it does not overheat. A clogged air filter does not only cause inconvenience on your part, but it also results in higher energy usage.
Cleaning or replacing your filter at least once per month is critical. Check your user’s manual to find out if you have a reusable or a replaceable filter. Keeping your filters clean alone can help you save up to 15 percent on your monthly energy costs.
Consider professional HVAC maintenance.
Keeping your filters fresh and clean is only one step you can take to keep your home’s energy bills to a minimum. There are many other things that only a qualified professional can perform to make your HVAC system operate at its best.
To get things straight, a maintenance schedule is not the same as a repair job. Repairs are performed to fix single or multiple specific issues while maintenance schedules are a more comprehensive look at the system.
Professional maintenance involves checking for any potential issues as well as fixing minor problems that don’t require a service call for a repair. These include dirty filters, filthy parts, loose bolts, and similar issues. If left unattended, these simple matters can escalate to significant problems.
To help you lower your energy costs during this time of crisis, be sure to call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. It would be our pleasure to serve your home comfort needs. For over 40 years, we have been your reliable Anoka heating and air conditioning company.