Is your heater out? Does your air conditioner need service? Here are some ways to help you keep your energy costs low while waiting for the technician to arrive.
Do Not Run the Heat and the AC at the Same Time
When your furnace is causing the house to feel extremely hot, then running the air conditioner is going to double the energy costs you must pay. Do not do this. If the problem is that your heater won’t stop running the problem is probably in the thermostat. If you have a Gas or Oil furnace try switching the thermostat from heat to off. If you have a heat pump you can switch off the Circuit breaker to stop the heat pump from running.
If your heat pump unit doesn’t heat most systems have an electrical resistance heater back up system, but it will cost much more to operate than a properly functioning heat pump would.
Do Not Use a Faulty HVAC System Without Supervision
When your home heating or cooling system is on the fritz, the last thing you want to do is leave it operating while you are gone. All HVAC services firms will instruct you to turn off the unit when you are not able to watch it. Turning off the equipment will minimize the chance of a fire or other damage. Plus, it saves energy on heating and cooling costs.
Add Weatherstripping for Better Insulation
The better insulated your home the less energy you use at all times but especially if your HVAC system is not up to par. So, whether you must wait a long time on the repairs, or you just want to reduce energy loss, insulating is a helpful idea. Weatherstripping around the windows and doors seals off leaks and prevents heat transfer and is one of the most cost-effective repairs you can make. Adding insulation to the attic, crawlspaces, and walls ensures the heat will stay inside for longer. Plus, sealing up the space means the house will stay cooler when using the air conditioner.
Use Space Heaters
The U.S. Government suggests people only purchase new heaters to ensure they operate correctly and provide safe heating. Opting for a unit that has a thermostat will keep the room at a constant temperature and ensure that heating costs are manageable. The government also says to use a heater appropriate for the size of the space you need. Portable heaters can be used to heat small spaces like a single room, making it possible to stay warm even if the rest of the house is cold.
As they say, “the best defense is a good offense” so you should have your HVAC system checked and maintained once or twice a year which should prolong its life and reduce the number of surprise outages you get by proactively replacing worn or defective parts before they become an emergency.
You might also like:
- How to Keep Your Home’s Heating Bill from Rising When Temperatures Fall
- 5 Awesome Energy Saving Ways to Cut Your Home Energy Costs Now
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- How to Save Energy When Using a Water Heater
