How to Maintain HVAC Efficiency in Unpredictable Weather

For most people, you expect the weather to be cool in the winter a the weather to be hot in the summer . However, if you’re in North Central Florida or nearby regions, you know that we often experience times of significant temperature swings throughout the year. When the temperature changes drastically day-to-day, your heating and cooling systems will tend to run longer and work much harder than they usually do. These periods of overuse can negatively affect the efficiency of your system and lead to much higher energy bills than you would normally expect.

Although nothing can be done about the weather outside, there are some steps you can take to prevent spikes in your energy bill during times of unpredictability!

Use Main Heating or a Fireplace

When it’s cold outside, you’ll typically want to do whatever you can to keep your house warm and cozy. Using portable and strip heaters, however, tend to suck up the most energy. Not only that, but they also present a higher risk for starting a fire within your home when left unattended. The best option is to err on the side of caution and use your main heating or fireplace whenever possible.

Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

We live in a time where your home appliances can be carried with you regardless of where you are in the world. You can turn off lights, lock your doors, and even change the temperature on your thermostat from miles and miles away. Installing a programmable or smart thermostat is a great way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your HVAC system. You won’t have to worry about what temperature your home will be set on if you’re gone during a period of significant temperature changes or how that will affect your energy bill at the end of the month. With a smart thermostat, your HVAC system is only a click away and your days of wasted heat and AC will be those of the past.

Seal Heating and Cooling Ducts

Sealing your air ducts is one of the most effective steps you can take towards protecting your home from efficiency loss during temperature swings. Leaking ducts can lead to significant energy loss in your home, and a much higher bill than you typically expect. Duct sealing insulates your airways and prevents air loss as heated or cooled air flows throughout your home. By sealing the ducts in your attic, basement, crawl space, and garage, you can increase your home’s efficiency by up to 20% regardless of the temperature outside.

How to know if your ducts are leaking

Duct work is usually hidden behind walls, in crawl spaces, or in attics so it can be difficult to know whether they’re leaking or not. There are a few things to check for to determine whether or not your ducts need to be sealed:

• Some rooms in your home are hotter or colder than others.
• Your heating and cooling costs are much higher than expected.
• Some rooms in your home have unbalanced or uneven heating or cooling.

If you’ve noticed any of these occurring around your home, it may be time to call our duct sealing experts to assess the state of your duct system.

Have Your HVAC System Service Regularly

There are countless reasons to have your HVAC system regularly maintained, and combatting unpredictable outdoor temperatures is one of them. Making sure your system is up to date on repairs and maintenance is the best way to extend its life span as long as possible. A well working system will perform far better switching from warm to cool than one that may have an underlying issue or need for repair.

At Bertie Heating & Air Conditioning we offer a Planned Maintenance Agreement which calls for bi-annual service visits to keep your system in the best shape possible.

Bertie Heating & Air Conditioning Can Help

Here at Bertie Heating & Air Conditioning, we know that saving energy leads to saving money and saving money leads to happy customers. That’s why we offer energy conservation tips to help you get the most out of your HVAC system, no matter the temperature outside. Contact our team today and find out what services we offer that can keep your home running as efficiently as possible all year long!