Did you know the average homeowner spends approximately 53% of their monthly energy-related expenses on their heating and cooling bills? If you are tired of spending a small fortune keeping your Los Angeles home cool in the summer, there are several ways you can start lowering your energy bills – and most won’t cost you a dime.
Here are a few straightforward tips to help you improve the efficiency of your residential HVAC system:
Check Your Optimum Temperature Range
One simple way to improve your HVAC energy efficiency is to set your thermostat according to the outdoor air temperature and not your comfort level. As a rule, keep your thermostat set to within 10 to 15 degrees lower than the outdoor air temperature in the summer. This means that if it is 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, you should keep your thermostat set to anywhere between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
If these temperatures seem too high, there are other simple and low-cost ways to save money on your energy costs and cooling costs.
Schedule Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance
Regular maintenance is the key to ensuring your HVAC system is running at peak efficiency, working properly and to prevent unnecessary and potentially costly Los Angeles home AC repairs. Contact the team at Universal Heating & Air to create a maintenance routine and schedule a yearly inspection.
During this routine maintenance inspection, a team member will check the major components, including the indoor air handler and outdoor unit, check your air filters, calibrate your thermostat, and determine if there are any ways you can use less energy to keep your home comfortable, even during the hottest point of the Los Angeles summer.
Preserve the System Air Flow
Constant and uninterrupted airflow of conditioned air throughout your home is the goal during the summer. In the winter, you want to keep your home’s temperatures as steady and comfortable as possible – without raising your home’s heating costs. The best way to achieve both is to ensure that the duct system is not damaged and there are no obstructions in your air ducts.
An HVAC technician can not only inspect and repair your home’s duct system but also provide strategies to improve efficiency. For example, insulating ducts are a great way to maximize your HVAC system’s energy efficiency by preventing cold air loss during the summer and warm air in the winter.
Another simple way to prevent air flow obstructions is to clear debris away from the registers, air handler or furnace, and the massive outdoor unit.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
Want a foolproof way to lower your monthly utility bills while maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout your home? Purchase a programmable thermostat! A top-of-the-line smart thermostat costs anywhere between $200 and $350. However, before getting scared off by the initial investment, it is essential to realize that programmable thermostats can make a huge difference in your monthly energy expenditures.
You can program the thermostat to raise or lower the temperature of the home, depending on whether you are home or away, to increase energy efficiency. For example, you can set the thermostat to raise the temperature during the summer while you are at work and don’t need to keep the house comfortable.
If you have a programmable thermostat that isn’t working correctly, contact Universal Heating & Air for all your Los Angeles thermostat repair and maintenance needs.
Use Curtains, Blinds, and Drapes to Help Control Temperatures
During a hot Los Angeles summer, it is not uncommon for you to crank up the air conditioner to keep the cool air rushing into your house all day long. Instead of using more energy to keep your home comfortable, invest in a set of quality blackout curtains. Close the curtains during the day to prevent the sunlight from flooding your home – and raise the indoor temperature.
Conversely, you can open the curtains and let the sunlight in to prevent your forced air furnace or heat pump from working harder than it should to keep your home cozy during the cooler months.
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Regularly swapping out your air filter is one of the most inexpensive ways to help your HVAC system run more efficiently and even prevent unnecessary emergency repairs to your Los Angeles cooling system. Dirt, dust, and other debris will quickly build up in the filters, making the HVAC system work harder than it needs to in order to keep the home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Refer to your HVAC system’s manual, or ask the helpful staff at Universal Heating & Air to determine the ideal variety of air filters for your HVAC system. For example, some manufacturers might recommend a reusable filter, which can be periodically cleaned to remove any buildup.
To ensure peak HVAC efficiency of your central air conditioner, you might need to use a HEPA air filter that needs to be replaced every few months. If you need clarification, give us a call, and we can help you determine the ideal filter for your cooling system, budget, and needs.
Crank the Fans and Close the Windows
Another simple strategy to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and to save you a ton of money, in the long run, is to invest in some quality box fans and pedestal fans and install a ceiling fan in every room possible.
Keep the fans running at a low speed throughout the day to help increase positive airflow throughout your home. Because heat rises, you can place a box fan at the bottom of the staircase to help push cool air to the second floor of your home. For even more energy efficiency in the summer, make sure your ceiling fan is set to counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter!
Create Energy Efficient HVAC Systems With Universal Heating & Air
Are you ready to drastically improve the energy efficiency of your HVAC system, install insulation on your ductwork, or have a new thermostat, air conditioning system, or furnace installed in your Los Angeles home? At Universal Heating & Air, we can guide you through every step of ensuring your HVAC system is in good working order.
Residential AC and Furnace Repair and Installation
With several years of experience serving the fantastic residents of the Los Angeles, CA, area, the team at Universal Heating & Air can help you with every facet of maintaining your residential HVAC system. Need a new central air conditioner? Want a new furnace that is more energy-efficient? We can handle it all – and for less than the competition!
In addition to AC and furnace repair and installation, we also offer emergency services throughout the Los Angeles area!
Commercial HVAC Repair, Installation, and Maintenance
Owning a business, big or small, can get very expensive quickly. If you want to greatly improve the efficiency of your commercial HVAC system, we can help you make a plan that will fit your needs and budget. At Universal Heating & Air, we can handle all your commercial HVAC needs, including:
- AC repair
- AC maintenance
- AC replacement
- Emergency services
- Thermostat repair and replacement
Call the Team at Universal Heating & Air Today!
You are ready to commit to lowering your energy bills, increasing your HVAC system’s energy efficiency, and doing your part to help the environment. At Universal Heating & Air, we are ready to help you realize this goal with a wide variety of comprehensive commercial and residential HVAC services. So if you’re in Los Angeles County, Orange County, or Ventura County, call us at (323) 763-5777 today!
