Heating and Air Conditioning Service in Mansfield, TX
Energy Saving Tips
Sweltering summer temperatures and the need for air conditioning result in higher electric bills for all who use them. Naturally, many homeowners look for ways to reduce their costs, and many of them are at no cost. The following energy saving tips can help you to save money this summer. Providing annual heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX a tip with a big impact on reducing your home’s energy consumption. Contact Minuteman Heating & AC today to schedule annual maintenance.
Maintenance
The two actions with the largest impact on your home’s energy consumption is to schedule routine heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX and changing the air filter. Maintenance provides the equivalent of a tune-up on your air conditioner. This provides the best performance possible, the greatest energy efficiency and extends the unit’s lifespan. In addition, it provides the opportunity for weakening parts to be identified before a breakdown occurs. With on-the-spot repair provided by our technicians, it’s one less potential breakdown, providing greater reliability. Contact Minutemand today, to schedule annual heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX.
Sealing Air Leaks
Cracks and gaps that allow indoor air out, and outdoor air in, cost you money. Each home has unique needs in relation to its design and construction. Furthermore, the quality of construction affects its energy efficiency. Reducing air leakage is an effective way to save energy, while increasing your comfort. Caulking, weather stripping, and foam sealants are three products effective for the sealing of air leaks.
The foundation and the attic are potential locations for air leaks. Inspect the foundation or for cracks and gaps, and ensure the foundation vents can be opened and closed. It’s wise to purchase foundation vents with screen wire, ensuring pests won’t get in.
Expanding foam is an excellent product that expands to seal the area. It’s effective in preventing air and water from entering through imperfections. The gaps surrounding the entry of cables, wires, and ducts are a common area overlooked by homeowners. Expanding foam is an ideal option for sealing in these locations, as it expands to fill the gaps.
Check inside and outside the attic for loose or missing siding, window caulking, and cracks or gaps. Air isn’t the only infiltrator in attics. Pests and wildlife often enter the attic and den up for the winter. Animals will chew through siding and timber to gain entry, so provide a routine inspection of the attic. If your attic is used as living space, or when ducts are present, check them to ensure they are sealed. If sealant is missing or failing you can use aluminum metal tape to seal the cracks. Sealing ducts can save you as much as 30% on the cost of operating the HVAC system. Our NATE certified technicians can provide reliable heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX for you.
Insufficient attic and wall insulation are a common cause of high energy costs. As a general rule of thumb, if you can see the ceiling joists in the attic ‘floor’, insulation needs to be added. The R-factor of insulation in the attic may have been the recommended amount when the home was constructed, but is likely to be insufficient by today’s standards. In addition, insulation can settle over time, reducing its insulation factor and increasing your energy costs. Your HVAC unit will run more often when insufficient insulation is a problem. This in turn results in increased wear on the unit, and an increase in the need for heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX.
Chimneys
Chimneys can be a major source of lost heating and air conditioning. Keep the flue closed on chimney when not in use, to prevent the loss of conditioned air.
Don’t Close Rooms Off
Don’t close off registers and doors to avoid creating unequal pressure in the heating and air conditioning system, which can result in air leaks, reduced efficiency. The pressure imbalance can cause the unit to pull outside air in through cracks, vent pipes, chimneys, unsealed doors and more. This results in increased energy costs, and unnecessary wear on the HVAC system. Premature wear can increase the need for professional heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX.
Windows
Insulated drapes and shades are a low cost means of reducing heat transfer. From windows Window film is an effective option for significantly reducing heat transfer. It offers the additional benefit of reducing the UV rays that fade upholstery and photographs by up to 99%. Reducing heat gain in the home will reduce the running time of the HVAC system, resulting in a reduced need for heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX.
Decreasing Energy Use
- If it’s time to replace appliances, choose Energy Star approved appliances.
- Use the economy setting when available, and the dishwasher’s air dry setting. In addition, wait until the appliance has a full load before using.
- Select the refrigerators energy save option.
- Use the microwave when possible, rather than the oven.
- Refrain from opening the dryer door until the cycle is complete.
- Unplugging small appliances to prevent phantom use of electricity, which adds up over time.
- A gable fan will remove excessive heat from the attic, cooling the home below and reducing the amount the AC will need to run.
- Consider a programmable thermostat and gain convenience and energy saved.
- Set you AC on 78 degrees F, and use fans or ceiling fans to help keep you comfortable. Contact Minuteman Heating & AC to schedule heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX.
The use of these energy saving tips can save you money, while increasing your comfort. Minuteman Heating & AC provides NATE certified technicians for professional heating and air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX that you can rely on. We offer expertise for heating and air conditioning installation, heating and AC repair, HVAC maintenance, and other services. Minuteman Heating & AC serves Arlington, Mansfield and the surrounding areas, and is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.