Consistently staying warm in winter can come with a hefty price tag. You’ll have no choice but to keep your heating system running all the time, not just for you and your family but also for critical systems like your plumbing and electrical infrastructure. Thus, it’s important to find ways to be as energy-efficient as possible. Here are some tips you could use.

1. Change or Clean Your Air Filters

Air filters play a key role in HVAC efficiency. They typically regulate airflow within your system and indoor spaces, and your heating system only works when there is sufficient air. When your filters are dirty, they’ll restrict the amount of air going into your unit, causing so much strain that it may eventually completely break down.

For starters, the fan motors will need to work much harder to pull in air for conditioning. That extra stress means increased energy consumption. Secondly, if you have a ducted system, the reduced air flowing through your ductwork will cause negative pressure that often tends to collapse the ducts, consequently creating leaks. Leaking ducts lose conditioned air and also pick up dust and debris from the surrounding environment.

When the dust and debris accumulate on the heating elements, they create a thin layer of insulation that makes it harder for your heat exchanger to pass heat to the indoor air. This will also lead to more energy consumption as the system has to work harder and longer.

Lastly, dirty filters will cause your heating system to overheat. An overheating system tends to cycle on and off rapidly, which leads to significant wear and tear and increased energy consumption.

When changing your air filters, note the manufacturer’s recommended type and size. If your heating system’s manual says to only use pleated filters rated MERV 9, be sure to get just that. Also, check the frame of the outgoing filter to confirm the correct size. The filters need to fit snugly in their slots for optimal air purification.

If your filters are reusable, make sure to inspect them for any signs of damage, such as dents, tears, and gaps, once you remove them from their slots. If there are any defects, replace the filter. If there aren’t, vacuum and wash the filter with warm water and a mild detergent. You can mix the warm water with distilled white vinegar (one part warm water and one part white vinegar) to kill mold, bacteria, and even viruses that may be present in your filters.

2. Use a Programmable Thermostat

If your system still uses a manual thermostat, consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat for better energy savings. Both smart and programmable thermostats allow you to predetermine the temperature of your home for days at different times throughout the season. For instance, you can customize the temperature for when you’re awake, asleep, or away from your home. A smart thermostat even takes things further by learning your habits and making changes on its own, so you never have to worry about wasting energy.

To save money, you still need to practice key winter thermostat strategy. When awake and active, set your temperatures to around 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are away or sleeping, drop the setting down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Your pipes won’t freeze, and you’ll actually get a good night’s sleep because the body naturally lowers its temperature to trigger release of melatonin (the sleep hormone).

Next, set your thermostat to “Auto” instead of “On” mode. In “Auto” mode, the fans in your furnace or heat pump will only run when your system is warming up your room. In “On” mode, the fans will run continuously, even at the end of the heating cycle. This often leads to significant energy consumption and deterioration.

If you have a smart thermostat installed, you might want to turn on the geofencing feature. This feature uses your phone’s location to determine when you’re home or away. When you leave the house, the thermostat automatically drops the temperature to save energy, and when you return, it will revert to your preferred setting a few minutes before you step through the door.

Finally, review your smart thermostat’s energy report to identify opportunities to optimize HVAC efficiency. For instance, if your report says your system’s heating cycles last too long to keep up with the rapid heat loss in your home, you should investigate the potential sources of that heat loss.

3. Call for Professional Maintenance

The reason why professional heating maintenance is critical for energy efficiency is that it keeps every component of your HVAC system in pristine condition throughout the winter period. A system in its best condition doesn’t need to work harder or longer to keep the house warm. The airflow will be improved, the thermostat will register accurate temperatures, and the heating elements will operate with greater effectiveness.

During the visit, the technician will thoroughly inspect, clean, and tune up your heating system. If they find looming issues, they’ll fix them before they escalate.

The maintenance appointment will probably only take an hour or two, but it can go on for longer if technicians need to do extensive work. It’s best to schedule this tune-up right before the winter season begins, but don’t hesitate to call for help when you notice signs like high energy bills, weird sounds and smells, and inconsistent heating during the cold months.

To get the most out of the tune-up, it’s important to prepare for it. You can do this by taking notes of abnormal system behavior, making sure the technician has easy access to all components, asking questions every step of the way, and recording any feedback or recommendations provided.

4. Upgrade Your System

If your heating system is older than ten years, this may be the perfect time to upgrade. Modern HVAC systems are very energy efficient and safer because the government raised the standards for performance and reliability on 1/1/2023.

For instance, manufacturers now use SEER2 (seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2) and HSPF2 (heating seasonal performance factor 2) instead of the old SEER and HSPF because SEER2 and HSPF2 provide more accurate measurements of energy efficiency under a wider range of operating conditions. All heat pumps made today must have a minimum SEER2 and HSPF2 rating of 14.3 and 7.5, respectively.

The furnaces’ AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating is still currently at 81%. However, the federal government mandated that all gas furnaces made from 2028 on must have a rating of at least 95%. To futureproof yourself, you can upgrade now to a furnace with a rating higher than 95%.

Rely on Your Local Experts

With a few adjustments and upgrades, you can keep your home cozy and energy-efficient this winter. Reach out to us to tune-up your system or replace it with a modern, high-performance model. We also offer indoor air quality solutions, whole-house fan installation, and all AC services. Call Aace's Heating, Air Conditioning & Swamp Coolers today for heating maintenance or replacement in Victorville, CA.

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