Preparing your heating and cooling system for Oklahoma's seasonal changes is relatively easy, as long as you follow a few simple home energy tips. Taking action now not only gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your system is functioning at peak capacity, but also improves energy efficiency and lowers your utility bills.Here are three important home energy tips that can keep your home comfortable and pleasant regardless of the weather outside:
Service: Keeping your system properly maintained and serviced reduces the chances of a mechanical breakdown and also avoids wasting energy due to inferior performance. You can perform a few maintenance tasks yourself, such as changing the filters, but you should contact a qualified professional for the larger jobs. An HVAC technician will inspect the system thoroughly, test airflow, service electronics, and make sure the coils, fans, belt and motors are all operating effectively. Scheduling an annual service call before a new heating or cooling season starts is great way to ensure that your heating and cooling system gets the preventative maintenance it needs.
Seal ductwork: The ducts in your home are often a source of wasted energy, as warmed or cooled air escapes from the ductwork through holes or loose connections. You can seal small holes in your ducts by using mastic sealant. Do not use duct tape, since it will fail shortly after being applied. Loose connections between the ducts will probably need servicing from a professional technician.
Programmable thermostat: Installing a programmable thermostat in your home saves energy by letting you time the temperature changes to meet your unique household needs. You can program the thermostat to automatically lower or raise the temperature during the hours that no one is home. Some programmable thermostats also let you control the settings using electronic devices, such as smartphones or laptops.
For more home energy tips and expert advice about other issues related to home comfort, contact us at Air Assurance. We have served the Tulsa area since 1985.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock