7 Energy-Efficient HVAC Strategies for Early Spring

As icy winter days become rarer and the inviting warmth of early spring arrives, you may start thinking about how you’ll keep your living space cool and comfortable when summer arrives. Spring is an ideal time to implement energy-efficient cooling solutions to help you save big in the warmer months ahead.

Here are seven strategies to implement today, courtesy of the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.

1. Use Ceiling Fans 

If you don’t run your ceiling fans in the summer, you’re missing out on an excellent opportunity to enhance comfort and energy efficiency. By making the room feel around four degrees cooler, the wind chill effect from running a ceiling fan enables you to dial up the thermostat without feeling too hot. Keep in mind, fans cool people, not rooms, so switch them off when you leave the area.

2. Be Smart With Your Windows 

Regarding regulating your home’s temperature, windows can be your best friends or your worst enemies. The magic is knowing how to use them properly based on how warm or cold it is outside:

• On cool but sunny days, raise the blinds to allow the sunshine in so it can warm your home naturally.
• On very warm days, open windows on opposite sides of the dwelling to create a cooling cross-breeze. If allergies are a concern, it’s better to instead run your AC to stop pollen from getting in.
• On hot days, close the curtains over your south- and west-facing windows to minimize solar heat gain and postpone the need for air conditioning.

3. Cook Your Meals Outdoors

Using the oven or stovetop raises the indoor temperature, making your cooling system work harder and use more electricity. Reap the benefits of the lovely spring weather by shifting your cooking outdoors. Grilling is a terrific way to get some fresh air while helping keep your house cool and comfortable. Plus, when you start grilling season early, you avoid the intense heat and pesky mosquitoes of summer.

4. Spring Clean with Efficiency in Mind 

Spring cleaning is a practice that provides a fresh, tidy home just in time for much warmer weather. You may not realize it, but spring cleaning is also a time to increase your home’s energy efficiency. As you go through your home and freshen up, concentrate on areas that can impede airflow and, as a result, increase your home’s electricity bills. Here are some spaces to tackle:

• • Clean ceiling fan blades and set them to rotate counterclockwise.
• Apply caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks around windows and doors.
• Clean sliding glass door tracks to reduce air leakage.
• Change the HVAC air filter to encourage optimal airflow.
• Remove debris from around the exterior AC unit to increase performance.
• Clean the coils below or behind the refrigerator to reduce the energy required to keep your food cold.
• Wipe down light fixtures and exchange outdated incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.

5. Schedule Routine AC Maintenance

A spring AC check-up prepares your AC for the summer’s heat. Although you can do some tasks yourself, such as changing the air filter and clearing away obstructions from the outdoor unit, only a skilled specialist can clean the evaporator coil, lubricate moving parts and top off the refrigerant. Annual tune-ups can go a long ways to help decrease a home’s energy consumption, promote more reliable performance and extend an AC unit’s service life. Schedule service with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning in the spring to make sure your system is ready to operate at its best when you need it most.

6. Don’t Forget Your Ducts

Spring is the ideal time to evaluate your home’s ductwork. Sealing and insulating the ductwork helps conditioned air move to its destination more efficiently. In addition, detailed duct cleaning removes debris buildup, helping make sure your home’s air moves smoothly in the system. These ductwork services save power and improve indoor air quality, making your home a more pleasant place to be during the summer.

7. Upgrade for Energy Efficiency  

Consider upgrading your HVAC system or major appliances to energy-efficient models this spring. ENERGY STAR-certified products use less energy without losing performance. Updates do take an investment, but you can expect substantial energy bill savings and a more comfortable, sustainable residence. These improvements also enhance a home’s value if you ever decide to put the home on the market. Spring is an opportune time for HVAC updates, as contractors are generally less busy, so that it is easier to schedule the installation at a convenient time for you.   

Count on Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for Your HVAC Needs in Fort Lauderdale this Spring 

For assistance implementing any of these recommendations this spring, turn Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide affordable, energy-efficient cooling solutions in Fort Lauderdale to save you money all season long. Everything we do is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can count on us to deliver comfort and put your mind at ease. For skilled service that makes an impact on your daily life, call 954-736-4314 today!