Don’t you ever get tired of feeling perfectly warm, and then all of the sudden your family room has become the Sahara? Homeowners work hard to provide a welcoming environment for their guests, using fashionable décor, modern furnishings, and tempting aromas to welcome their visitors; even if you have all these things going for your home, the temperature inside can be a killer to your party. Sending guests away with feelings that you entertained in a sauna rather than your living room, can turn your home into the social pariah of the neighborhood. Here are some ideas to keep your home at a happy medium, you in the spotlight of your mixer, and your wallet full.

Power Down When You Are Gone

Installing a programmable thermostat is a great idea for people who are gone from home, for set periods of time during the week. When used correctly, programmable thermostats can save you about $180 per annum. That may not seem like much, but over time, it can quickly add up. Don’t be intimidated, it’s quick and easy to do. First, pick your pre-programmed heating and cooling plan, set a time and date, and press start. When you leave your house, the system will shut off right on cue. And when you’re ready to return home, you’re home is ready for you.

Re-Filter Your Filter

Another great money saving tip is to change your air filter regularly which is about every three months; especially during months of heavy use such as the winter and summer seasons. Routine checks should be done every month just to make sure things are running smoothly, and your filter is not clogged with dust and other allergens. It’s important for the health of your home and family to stay on top of this maintenance. Your family can get sick if your HVAC system is blowing smog and dust bunnies into the air, and your home will get filthier faster. Keep it clean so your family stays healthy, and your home stays fresh.

Seal For The Save

Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your cooling and heating system by almost 20 percent, sometimes even more! Ducts that move air back and forth from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or a heat pump, often waste the most energy. So seal it up to save a buck! Ducts that are the easiest to seal are ones that run through crawl spaces, garages, and attics. The best products to use are duct sealant, or metal-backed tape (foil) to seal the seams of air ducts. After you have sealed the ducts at all the connection points, it’s important to cover them in insulation to keep them from extreme temperatures in all seasons.

Energy Star

If you have an HVAC system that is more than 10 years old and not keeping your home comfortable, have it inspected by a professional HVAC contractor, like Best Choice Heating. If your system is not performing and needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a new unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Not only will it help reduce your monthly heating/cooling costs, its also environmentally-friendly. Before you gut the old and get the new, be sure that you have had your ducts inspected; address the big and small air leaks in your duct system and make sure you have no new cracks. Sometimes, poor duct lines are the real sources of heating and cooling issues, rather than your HVAC system.