New HVAC units have come a long way in helping people reduce energy costs over the last 5 years. Newer designs with more insulation and new motors and controllers increase efficiency and reduce energy costs. New parts simply work better than those created five to ten years ago.
Other Ways to Reduce Energy Costs
Reducing the building's overall energy load allows the system to operate more efficiently. Load reduction will, of course, reduce energy costs in addition to increasing the efficiency of the HVAC unit. A unit that has to compete with other electrical appliances in the household pulls varied current often and may sound like it is struggling to provide the climate control you need.
Add insulation to your home if possible. Insulation may be increased by replacing old, single paned windows and glass doors. Make sure to use Energy Star qualified replacements for your windows and glass doors in need of replacement. Light to medium tinting also reduces energy costs by deflecting sunlight during summer months.
Upgrade your light bulbs to energy effective bulbs. Use accent lighting where low lighting is acceptable. Low energy bulbs and reduction of lighted areas will help you save on energy costs by lightening the load.
Clean your unit's condenser coils at least once a year. Condenser coils are often overlooked as part of regular maintenance. Dirty coils make the compressor work harder, which puts unnecessary strain on the unit.
Upgrade your HVAC controller so it only operates during the hours that people are home. Increase or decrease the temperature as needed when you are home. Don't make the unit run unnecessarily to maintain a constant temperature while no one is home to enjoy the controlled climate.
Consider purchasing an HVAC controller that allows you to maintain different temperatures in various rooms of the house. Keep rarely-used rooms from requiring the same effort to heat or cool as rooms in which you spend most of your time. Your automated HVAC controller will pay for itself within 2 to 3 years.
HVAC motor replacement isn't always necessary; sometimes all you need to do is perform regular maintenance. You should replace a motor that is more than 5 years old due to normal wear and tear on moving parts. Normal use of the HVAC unit puts a lot of strain on the mechanical parts. Regular maintenance can reduce the likelihood of problems due to wear.
Maintenance vs. Replacement
Contact an HVAC professional once a year to perform routine maintenance and make sure you aren't in need of replacement parts. Ask them the tough questions regarding whether a part needs to be replaced or simply cleaned or tuned up. Sometimes a routine tune-up is all you need.
Change your filters regularly, and get a seasonal tune-up. Your unit will continue to perform beautifully when these simple steps are followed. Make notes of important issues you need to discuss with your HVAC technician. Information and knowledge may save the life of your unit as well as your bank account.
New HVAC motors and controllers offer much more flexibility regarding timed climate control and multi-room climate control. Consider buying new equipment if your old equipment is more than 5 years old. Older systems simply don't have the money-saving capabilities as newer systems offer.
