Energy Savings: DIY Energy Efficiency Projects
Heating System Maintenance
Taking control of your energy consumption in your home is a great way to start saving on your energy bills and reduce your environmental footprint.
Schedule regular maintenance for your heating and cooling system
- Difficulty: easy
- Cost: $$
- Benefits: equipment performance, energy savings
Not exactly DIY, but maintaining your heating system helps you save on energy and prolong equipment life. Summer is a great time to schedule your annual maintenance, you can ensure your furnace is in tip-top shape, and beat the fall rush! *Ask your technician for energy efficiency recommendations specific to your home – they are your expert on energy conservation measures applicable to your system!
Install and program a smart thermostat
- Difficulty: intermediate
- Cost: $
- Benefits: smart control, energy savings
If your home does not have a smart thermostat, this can be a DIY project for those comfortable with light electrical wiring. Instructional videos for products like a Google Nest are available on YouTube, for you to determine if this is a project for you.
Clean your ducts
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: $
- Benefits: air quality, energy savings
Clean ducts and registers regularly to keep air flowing efficiently in your home. A furnace must work harder and use more energy if there is debris in the way of airflow. Remove registers and vacuum in the airways, if you cannot access all the debris, it is time to schedule professional duct cleaning.
Find and seal air leaks in ductwork
- Difficulty: intermediate
- Cost: $
- Benefits: comfort, energy savings
As a forced-air system ages, the ductwork joints may shift and lose their once air-tight seal. Leakage along seams and at joints can result in inconsistent temperatures throughout your home. You can improve the performance of your heating systems delivery by sealing leaks with duct tape or foil tape.
- Search your delivery and return ductwork for signs of leakage. Start at the furnace and follow the lines all the way to the air registers and grilles.
- Clean the surface around the leaks, debris may prevent your sealing tape from adhering properly.
- Check the joints of your ductwork, joints should be tightly crimped or secured with screws, connected lines should not shift.
- Seal the joints with duct tape. Aluminum duct tape will provide a more air-tight seal than cloth backed tape.
Replace your furnace air filter
- Difficulty: easy
- Cost: $
- Benefits: equipment performance, air quality, energy savings
We are all familiar with this advice! This is your humble reminder that a forced air heating system’s filter should be replaced every 3 months. Set up a reminder on your phone or calendar and avoid delaying your next replacement. A clean furnace is an efficient furnace. *Most forced air furnaces use a disposable filter, if your furnace has a reusable-washable filter, follow the equipment instructions for cleaning.
A clean heating system operates more efficiently, uses less energy, and provides you and your family with clean & comfortable air. Follow Solarmax for more energy efficiency tips for your home!