| Optimizing Your HVAC System |
| Stacy Hunt |
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By Stacy Hunt
According to the Department of Energy, 40 to 60 percent of all energy used in homes goes toward heating and cooling. That's a significant amount of money every month, considering that the average household energy bill in 2007 was $1,900. Whether you're ready to replace mechanical equipment or just looking to improve the system you already have, there are a number of strategies you can take to improve your indoor air quality, improve the comfort in your home — and potentially reduce your heating and cooling energy use by half. Replace old or failing mechanical equipment. If your heating or cooling equipment is more than 10 years old or no longer keeping you comfortable, it may be time to replace it. When replacing, look for Energy-Star-labeled equipment, which can save as much as 20 percent of your energy use. Make sure that you use a competent contractor who properly sizes the equipment for your home – a bigger system does not mean better in this case. Your contractor should determine the right size for your equipment using the ACCA/ANSI Manual J sizing calculation tool, which considers specific attributes about your home. Seal and insulate your heating and cooling ducts. New mechanical equipment won't do a lick of good if it's forcing air through leaky, uninsulated ductwork. Sealing and insulating can save you more than 20 percent of your total energy use. Focus first on ducts that run through unconditioned space (i.e., garage, attic, unheated basement) and seal ducts with mastic or foil-backed tape. After sealing, insulate the ducts by wrapping them in insulation. Seal your home. A significant amount of energy is lost due to leakage of conditioned air from the home and unconditioned air into the home. Common leak areas include recessed lights; plumbing, kitchen and dryer vents; electrical outlets; and crawlspaces. Sealing these common leak areas can make the home easier for your mechanical equipment to efficiently condition. Insulate. Along with air sealing, making sure that your home has adequate insulation goes a long way in reducing the load on your mechanical equipment. The Department of Energy recommends minimum insulation levels for each part of the home, tailored for different climates. This information can be found in the Home Sealing section on the Energy Star website. Install a programmable thermostat. According to the EPA, installing a programmable thermostat can save you about $150 a year in energy costs. It's ideal for people who are away from home during the day a lot during the week — as long as it's used properly. Have your equipment professionally maintained regularly. Preseason, professional maintenance of HVAC equipment can prevent equipment failure and keep it working at peak efficiency. Preseason checkups include inspection and cleaning of all of the system's parts. Be sure to schedule your maintenance in advance; contractors get busy quickly. Inspect and change your air filters monthly. Dirty filters slow down air flow, reducing efficiency and comfort in the home. They also can cause the buildup of dust and dirt, leading to early system failure. Change your filters no less than every three months. Move your couch. Check heating and cooling registers to ensure that you haven't pushed your couch (or any other piece of furniture) up against them, reducing the airflow to rooms. Stacy Hunt is a consultant and writer specializing in energy efficiency and green building.
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