Easy Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Columbus HVAC System

Here in Columbus, the summers are sweltering and the winters are freezing, so most homeowners make frequent use of their heating and air conditioning in Columbus Ohio. To avoid paying large utility bills, make sure to keep your HVAC system clean and in a state of good repair. You can enjoy a comfortable home that’s neither too hot nor too cold by following these easy year-round tips to maximize your heating and cooling efficiency:

Weatherize Your Home

Heat flows from warmer areas to colder ones, which means that during the wintertime, the air you heat inside your home can escape through gaps around windows and under doors.
In the summertime, heat from outside can get into your house through these same gaps and cause your air conditioner to work overtime. To minimize air leaks, install weather-stripping around all your windows and use draft blockers along the bottom edge of your exterior doors.

Change the Air Filter

To keep the blower mechanisms clear of dust and debris, your HVAC system has a filter that catches contaminants. Over time, this filter will be become saturated with dirt and you will need to replace it. During the summer and winter months when you are using your heating and air conditioning heavily in your Columbus area home, check and change the filter at least once a month. Although fiberglass filters are the least expensive, invest in a pleated filter or an electrostatic filter to catch more particles and improve your indoor air quality.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

During the day, your home may be unoccupied for long stretches of time while all members of the household are at work or school. Heating or cooling the house during these hours simply wastes money and energy. A programmable thermostat can automatically shut your system off when the house is empty, then switch it on an hour before you are due to come home to ensure that the house is at a comfortable temperature when you arrive.

Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

If your home has a central forced-air heating and cooling system, then the warm or cool air produced inside your HVAC system is distributed throughout the house by a system of air ducts. Dust mites, pollen, and mold can accumulate inside the ducts, which can reduce the system’s efficiency as well as pollute the air inside your home. Have your air ducts cleaned so you can breathe easier and so that your blowers can operate properly.

If your air conditioning or heating system is more than ten years old, it might be time to replace it. Learn more about your home’s HVAC system in our Learning Center, or visit our home page for more information.