{"id":872,"date":"2020-02-10T11:00:54","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T16:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/?p=872"},"modified":"2025-06-03T10:10:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T17:10:14","slug":"tips-for-boosting-hvac-efficiency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/hvac\/tips-for-boosting-hvac-efficiency\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Boosting HVAC Efficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FloorWith the extreme variables we have in our weather throughout the year, it\u2019s no secret that you\u2019d like to do everything you can to lower your energy bills. The good news is, you don\u2019t have to decrease your energy usage <\/em>in order to do that. In fact, there are some simple steps you can take to boost HVAC efficiency, whether we\u2019re talking about your heater or <\/em>your air conditioner.
\n<\/p>\n

\u00a0Using Window Coverings to Reduce Cooling Load<\/h2>\n

You probably already know that in the summertime you should keep your curtains and blinds closed to keep the sun out. This keeps it cooler in the house, after all. But what about winter time? Instead of keeping those curtains closed, open them up! Particularly the curtains and blinds on your south-facing windows. This will warm the home up using radiant heat, and then your heater will run less\u2014and therefore cost less.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Boost AC Performance with Proper Fan Use<\/h2>\n

Ceiling fans are another component of the home that most people think about in the summer, but not the winter.<\/p>\n

Did you know there\u2019s a switch that reverses the direction of the fan blades? Many homeowners don\u2019t know this, and if they do, they don\u2019t know the purpose. Reversing the fan blades helps distribute warm air, reducing your reliance on the heating system. For more seasonal tips, check out<\/span> 3 tips for improving heating efficiency<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, the point is that in reverse, the fan blades pull down warm <\/em>air, making you feel warmer, and you\u2019re able to adjust the thermostat accordingly.<\/p>\n

Smart Thermostat Settings to Save Energy<\/h2>\n

Setting the right temperature is crucial to maintaining or improving HVAC efficiency. The ideal setting in the wintertime is 68\u00b0F (or lower, when the home isn\u2019t occupied or when the family is sleeping). In the summertime, most people are comfortable at 78\u00b0F. Again, this can be adjusted to account for nobody being home, or for when you\u2019re sleeping.<\/p>\n

Keep Your AC Efficient with Clean Filters<\/h2>\n

Many homeowners assume the air filters that come standard with their HVAC systems are in place to protect the home\u2019s indoor air quality. Their primary function, however, is to protect the interior components of the HVAC system from dust and debris. Learn how<\/span> a dirty air filter can damage your heater<\/span><\/a> and why regular replacement is key to maintaining system efficiency. <\/span>They certainly don\u2019t hurt <\/em>indoor air quality, but their actual purpose is to protect the interior components of the HVAC systems themselves from dirt, dust, and other debris.<\/p>\n

Depending on the type of air filters you have and the level of contaminants in your home, you should change the air filters every 1\u20133 months.<\/p>\n

Stop Air Leaks by Sealing Your Duct System<\/h2>\n

We don\u2019t mean you should do this on your own. Rather, you should contact a trained HVAC professional, such as a member of our team, to have your ductwork checked for leaks or other damage. If you\u2019re considering a broader upgrade, explore<\/span> when it\u2019s time for an HVAC upgrade<\/span><\/a> to determine how enhancements like duct sealing can improve efficiency and lower energy costs. <\/span>Leaky ductwork can account for up to 30% of lost air\u2014and that is conditioned air, which you\u2019re paying for!<\/p>\n

And no, store-bought duct tape won\u2019t do the trick. This inappropriately named tape actually becomes brittle with temperature fluctuations and will start chipping and peeling off the ductwork within a few months or sooner. You need a professional to come in with special mastic sealant to do the job.<\/p>\n

The above tips are just a few ways to boost HVAC efficiency. Don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to our team for more great advice.<\/p>\n

For expert Lincoln, CA heating and air conditioning services<\/a>, contact Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort<\/a>, Inc. Just look for \u201cThe Guys in the Big Red Trucks\u201d! <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The good news is, you don\u2019t have to decrease your energy usage in order to do that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[156],"tags":[164,153],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/872"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=872"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1887,"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/872\/revisions\/1887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sierrapacifichome.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}