There are many ways to make your Watson, Louisiana, home more efficient. By upgrading your thermostat and investing in regular maintenance, you can easily reduce energy consumption and save money on HVAC expenses. Making your home more efficient will not only help your appliances and HVAC system last longer but can also help you be a true friend to Mother Nature. Let’s take a look at the top five energy-saving tips for your house.

Change the AC Filter

The AC unit’s air filter directly impacts the entire cooling system’s efficiency. A clogged filter restricts the AC’s airflow, making it work harder to keep your home at your desired temperature. As it works harder to keep your home cool, it consumes excess energy and increases your cooling expenses. It also puts more wear and tear on the AC system that you can easily avoid by changing the air filter any time it appears dirty or clogged.

A simple trick for checking if the filter needs to be changed is to hold it up to the light. If you don’t see any light passing through the filter, then you should replace it with a new one.

Invest in Regular HVAC Maintenance

Another energy-saving tip for your house is to invest in regular HVAC maintenance. A maintenance session is going to include far more than just checking for a clogged filter. A technician will inspect the whole system to see if any parts are damaged or worn. If they are, the technician will repair or replace them to ensure the HVAC system can achieve optimal efficiency. A well-maintained system tends to last longer than a system that has gone without proper maintenance.

During a maintenance visit, the technician will also inspect your home’s ductwork for tears and holes that can lead to energy loss.

Use Heat-Producing Appliances Wisely

On hot days, avoid using heat-producing appliances as much as possible. These appliances make your house warmer than normal, which causes the AC to cycle on more frequently, increasing energy consumption. During the winter you can use these heat-producing appliances to your advantage as the heat they emit prevents the furnace from having to work as hard to warm your home.

Run the Ceiling Fans

When the outside temperature is comfortable, you can open the windows and run the ceiling fans in your home while keeping the HVAC unit turned off. This circulates fresh, comfortable air throughout your house and uses significantly less energy than running the air conditioning. During the summer, run the fans in a counterclockwise motion, which will blow air straight down and create a cooling effect. When it’s colder outside, run the fans in a clockwise motion to push the cool air up toward the ceiling and circulate the warm air that has gathered there back down.

Just make sure to turn off your ceiling fans when you’re not in the room. Ceiling fans don’t actually cool or heat an area; instead, they push air across your skin to make you feel more comfortable without actually changing the temperature.

Upgrade the Thermostat

Upgrading to a programmable thermostat makes saving energy easy. The thermostat allows you to create a heating and cooling schedule that maximizes energy savings by keeping your home at a more moderate temperature when you’re away and at night.

To take energy savings even further, upgrade to a smart thermostat. This type of device connects to your home’s Wi-Fi and some use home sensors to detect when you’re there and when you’re away. Using advanced technology and algorithms, it learns your heating and cooling preferences while ensuring the HVAC system operates with precise efficiency. Some smart thermostats will also send you maintenance notifications, making it easy to remember when to schedule an HVAC service appointment.

Many smart thermostats will tell you when it’s time to change the filter, as well. As we’ve discussed, investing in regular maintenance and changing the filter will save energy and help extend the life of your HVAC system.

Contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Baton Rouge at (225) 320-4162 to schedule your next HVAC maintenance. You can also speak with one of our technicians about the different thermostats available for your home.