How much do you think about the ways you’re using your heating and cooling system? Do you stop to consider how changes to how you control the climate in your home can lower your energy costs, or reduce the need for HVAC maintenance in NJ?

It’s true. When people put a little thought into how they’re using their HVAC system, it can actually bring big rewards in the long run. Too many people run their HVAC systems when it’s unnecessary or try to maintain temperatures that put additional strain on their heating and cooling units.

Air Temp Service is always here to help when you need HVAC maintenance in NJ – but we also don’t want you paying for avoidable problems. So, we’ve put together some suggestions for smart ways to use your climate control to save money.

Eight Great Ways You Can Reduce Energy Costs and Wear On Your HVAC System 

1. Don’t let the system run when you’re away from home

This one seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. Always shut off your heat or AC when you’re going to be away from home for more than an hour or so. This prevents you from wasting energy on heating and cooling that no one will be around to enjoy, while also giving your HVAC system a bit of a break.

Just doing this can substantially reduce your energy bills if you aren’t doing it already.

2. Install a programmable thermostat

Don’t want to go to the trouble of manually turning your HVAC on and off when you’re on the go? Pick up a programmable thermostat. If you follow a regular schedule – such as typical “9 to 5” work hours – then it’s easy to program the thermostat to work around your life. You can even set it up to turn on just a bit before you get home from work in the evening, so the temperature is how you like it once you arrive.

These thermostats do cost a little money to install, but they’ll more than pay for themselves in convenience and energy savings. You might even consider getting an Internet-connected smart thermostat, which lets you control the temperature from your phone. That way, if your schedule changes, you can update the thermostat before you arrive.

3. Optimize your temperature for restful sleep

Here’s one a lot of people don’t know about. According to national studies, most people sleep best in situations where there is a thermal balance between their body and the environment. This works out to a temperature of around 86 degrees if you’re wearing light clothes, or in the mid-60s if you’re under bedding.

That might sound like a high temperature but give it a try. You might find you get better sleep with a higher room temperature while wearing less and using minimal bedding. Plus, you’ll save a lot of energy!

We know some of you love sleeping in a cold room under blankets, even in the summer, but that puts a lot of strain on your HVAC, as well as burning through a lot of electricity. Or, if you really need a cooler room, try a fan.

4. Use more fans

During the summer, there may be no better and easier way to reduce your cooling costs than to simply use more fans around your house. By keeping the HVAC temperature higher, but using fans to blow the air around, you can create the perception of a much lower temperature. Fans are extremely low-power devices, so you’ll save a ton of money when you do so.

If you’ve got overhead fans in your rooms, make sure you’re putting them to good use.  If not, buy a few cheap portable plug-in fans. They could pay for themselves within a month while helping you stay cool during the hot months.

Plus, did you know ceiling fans can also be useful in the winter? The trick is to reverse their spin, with that switch on the side you probably never use. This will cause them to blow warm air near the ceiling around the room, helping maintain an even temperature.

5. Experiment with daily temperature settings

When is the last time you tried changing your ‘standard’ temperature settings? You might be surprised at how much you can “cheat” the temperature up or down without creating a noticeable difference in how you feel. If you keep your room in the mid-70s in the summer, try the high 70s instead, or even 80. You may not even be able to tell the difference, and every additional degree will be money saved at the end of the month.

6. Wear more clothes in winter

If you’re hot in the summer, there’s not much you can do besides running fans or dropping the temperature. However, in the winter, bundling up is always an option. Most of the time, there’s no need to keep your home toasty warm. Just keep some sweats, hoodies, or similarly warm-yet-flexible clothing around, and let the internal temperature stay low. 

The minor inconvenience this might cause will be well worth the massive reduction in heating costs during the winter.

7. Invest in a de-humidifier

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!” If you find yourself struggling to keep your home feeling cool in the summer, even with the thermostat set (too) low, the problem is probably that you have too much moisture in the local atmosphere. Humidity traps heat, so de-humidifying your home can do wonders for improving how cool your house feels in the summer.

This is another home improvement that will cost a bit up-front but can easily pay for itself after a summer or two.

8. Use blinds and windows to regulate temperature

Even the most energy-efficient windows let some heat pass through, particularly if the windows are allowing sunlight directly into your home. Keeping the blinds drawn during the day might make your home a bit darker, but it will prevent the sun from warming your rooms up. Plus, lighting is a lot less expensive than running the AC, especially if you use compact fluorescent or LED bulbs.

On the other hand, during the winter, let the light in. Every bit of sunlight that makes it into your home will help raise the temperature and reduce the burden on your heating system.

(Also, try to cook more on your stove and oven during the winter, since the heat they generate will warm the house.)

Air Temp Service Provides Top Quality AC Maintenance In NJ

We are your New Jersey experts for heating and cooling systems. From old-fashioned burners to the most modern of heat pump systems, we know every major type of HVAC system inside and out. We can help you maintain your current heating and cooling system or suggest smart upgrades which will substantially reduce your electric bills going forward.

Whenever you need AC maintenance, products, and more in New Jersey, just contact Air Temp Service.