Just a Little More ‘Bearable’
Did you know that March 11 is Johnny Appleseed Day? It is! So here are some juicy facts about this delicious day. Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman and he was an American pioneer who introduced apple trees to several areas of the United States and Canada. Yum! Yum! In honor of this legendary trailblazer, we here at Arctic Air would like to share some sweet tips so you can plant some seeds of your own—seeds of HVAC efficiency in your home.
Sadly, the price of nearly everything is on the rise. So, it’s more important than ever to save money where we can. Ready? Here goes!
1. Unblock and vacuum those vents.
Did you know that dust and other grime buildup on your vents can ruin the efficiency of your HVAC system? It’s true! A great way to boost efficiency is simply giving those vents a good dusting and vacuum. For a super thorough job, schedule a full Lancaster professional duct cleaning. And don’t forget: You should also make sure that rugs, furniture, blinds, curtains and even toys aren’t blocking your ducts. These items will hamper airflow, too.
2. Close doors and windows.
Your air conditioner or heater works hard to get your indoor air to your desired temperature. When you leave your doors or windows open, it’s easy for this conditioned air to escape, costing you money and leaving your comfort off kilter. When you want to open windows and doors to air out your home, you should turn off your HVAC system first.
3. Clean around the outside condenser unit.
Just as dust buildup on your vents causes operational inefficiencies, debris and clutter around your outside condenser unit can cause problems, too. Keep it as clean and free of debris as possible.
4. Keep heat-generating appliances away from the thermostat.
When your thermostat is located near the stove or other appliances that give off heat, it will have trouble accurately gauging the temperature of your home. This is also true if your thermostat is in an area that gets a lot of sun. Our team of experienced Lancaster HVAC techs are experts at proper thermostat placement so your home reaches the right temperatures.
5. Fix leaks in the attic, around windows or under doors.
Air leaks are another major cause of lost efficiency and higher energy bills. You don’t want to spend money cooling (or heating) the outdoors, do you? Repair those leaks!
6. A few degrees can make a difference.
When you increase the temperature on your thermostat by a just a few degrees (up in the summer and down in the winter), you will save energy and money. A programmable thermostat can make this super easy.
7. Cover those windows.
In the summer, close curtains and blinds to block out heat during the day. Your home will stay cooler without your AC system working overtime. In the winter, open them to take full advantage of the sun’s heat and not overextend your furnace.
8. Insulate ductwork.
Protect ductwork, especially in the attic and crawlspaces, to prevent leaks and energy loss.
9. Change your air filter.
A clean air filter is an efficient, cost-saving air filter. A dirty air filter causes inefficiencies, higher energy costs and often leads to needed repairs. We recommend changing your filters at least every three months.
10. Schedule routine maintenance.
Routine maintenance is one of the best measures you can choose for your HVAC system. It improves efficiency, helps expose small problems before they become more serious issues and prolongs the lifespan of your system. You can join our Advantage Membership Plan for added savings and benefits.
We hope these tips from the bears who care are helpful for your household. We want to be there when you need us, especially when it comes to AC installations, repairs and maintenance and heating installations, repairs and maintenance. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (661) 214-9160 or contact us through our website!