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“Green” Tips for Heating Your Home This Saint Patrick’s Day

The early spring in North Carolina can be chilly, even if the trees are sprouting new leaves and the flowers bloom. And as the bite of winter still lingers in the air, even as St. Paddy’s Day ushers in the new season, homeowners are sure to keep using their central heating systems most nights. And since the HVAC system is a home’s biggest energy consumer, that can mean some high utility bills.

Fortunately, homeowners can improve their heater’s performance and efficiency – which helps their wallets! So in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are three easy ways for homeowners to “go green” this year and save more green!

Use Ceiling Fans

The first way to help reduce the heating bill is to utilize the home’s ceiling fans to recycle as much warm air as possible. When a ceiling fan spins clockwise, it pushes air up and out, sending it across the ceiling to the edges of the room and back down along the walls. This helps to circulate heat that has risen to the ceiling and takes some of the burdens off the heater. In the warmer months, the opposite direction is the most effective, meaning counterclockwise.

The heating system will not have to run as long or as often, and homeowners may even find that they can comfortably lower the thermostat by a degree or two – both of which can significantly reduce energy usage and lower energy bills. However, it’s important to remember that the fans should probably be kept at a low-speed setting to avoid creating a draft.

Keep the Air Filters Clean

The next tip for improving energy efficiency is regularly replacing air filters. A dirty air filter will impede airflow, which puts a strain on the blower motor and causes the unit to work harder than usual. This makes the house less comfortable as the system fails to properly distribute warm air throughout the home and causes the system to consume more energy while trying to maintain a constant temperature, raising energy bills.

Replacing the air filters on time (typically every 2-3 months for most homes) will allow the system to operate efficiently, lower energy bills, prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the heater, and keep the house nice and toasty. Clean air filters are essential to the energy efficiency and performance of heating and air conditioning systems, so it’s important to change them when necessary.

Consider Installing a Smart Thermostat

Last but not least, upgrading to a smart thermostat can dramatically impact energy consumption. Depending on the model, homeowners can save anywhere from 8-15% on their heating and cooling costs. This is made possible by a host of energy-saving features.

Even the most basic smart thermostats can be controlled via an app on a smartphone or other device, making it easy to adjust the temperature from virtually anywhere, which can help homeowners avoid heating an empty house. Along these lines, some models feature occupancy sensors that can detect when no one is home and set the temperature back accordingly to save money.

Some other common smart thermostat features include geofencing (technology that senses when homeowners are entering or leaving a certain radius), energy usage reports, weather alerts, and the ability to “learn” usage habits and suggest more efficient temperature settings for different times of the day. With all of these features, homeowners can help do their part to save energy and enjoy lower energy bills!

About Air Care Heating and Cooling

Air Care Heating and Cooling is a family owned company serving Mint Hill, NC, Charlotte, and the surrounding areas since 2007. They provide upfront pricing, free estimates, and financing. Call them today for air conditioning or heating services in Mint Hill, NC.

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