End of winter HVAC Tips

February is now here, which means that we're right at the tail end of winter. You might think that it's too late at this point to reduce your energy bill this month, but that isn't the case!
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We list here five "last minute" tips that you can implement at the tail end of the winter season to bank some extra savings. These tips are not too difficult to follow and will be useful for next winter as well. Let's get started:

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1) Change your air filter and clean out air vents.

One of the biggest reasons why your AC can breakdown is due to dust and dirt accumulating in the filter. You should be checking your filter every month (refer to your HVAC manual for this, to see where the filters are located in your unit). Wait no more than 90 days to address problems. It's also a smart idea to keep back up filters on hand; a dirty filter won't do you any good.

2) Manage temperatures

It's never too late to do this - you just need to lower the heat when you least need it. A smart thermostat will help you do this. While it may seem expensive for you now, you can always make use of it next winter too, and you'll also recoup some of the cost on your first energy bill.

A smart thermostat can include WiFi connectivity, and an accompanying smartphone app, to let you track and reduce energy costs throughout your home - even when you're outside.

For the optimal amount of energy savings, you can set it to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and subtract 10-12 degrees from it at night (when you're being kept warm by a comforter) or when you're out of the house. After all, there's no need to turn up the heat in an empty house. This tip alone can help you save up to 10% on your heating bill!

3) Turn off supplemental heating

If you have a portable space heater for additional heating, then be sure to turn it off when you aren't in the room. Not only will you save some money but you'll be safer as well since an un-monitored space heater can be a safety hazard.

4) Check your detectors

Your detectors include your fire alarm and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure that the batteries aren't going bad and replace them if necessary. Run a test on them to make sure that they're working correctly, that way if there is a fire or CO gets into your home, you and your family will be warned.

5) Close your fireplace damper

For all the fireplace owners out there, make sure that you close the damper when not in use. When the damper is open your fireplace will function as a vacuum cleaner, sucking the hot air out of your living room. This can obviously increase your heating bills, increase system runtimes, and result in more system wear and tear.
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Do you need help with your AC? Contact us today, and we'd be glad to help!