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How To Make Your HVAC System More Energy Efficient

The SEER HVAC rating uses seasonal cooling conditions rather than lab-created conditions.

Why Closing Vents To Control Temperatures Doesn’t Work

It is a common myth amongst homeowners that closing air vents saves energy and makes the home more comfortable. Many think that by closing cold air returns, the conditioned air is redirected to other areas that the homeowners want, but closing air vents in vacant rooms is far from helpful. Shutting them does not save energy and, in fact, causes more damage than good. Learn about some of the most common air conditioning problems, and how to avoid them, with the following tips from Green Apple Mechanical.

Learn the truth behind common air conditioning myths, and contact Green Apple Mechanical today to schedule air conditioner repair or learn more about our other HVAC services!

Restricts Airflow

Closing air supply vents increases the air pressure inside the air ducts, which backs up into the ductwork of the home and can cause leaks. It also forces a greater volume of heated air out through duct leaks into unconditioned zones of the house. The furnace runs for longer periods to compensate for wasted heat and rising energy costs. Important furnace components, such as the heat exchanger, require a minimum amount of return airflow volume to maintain a safe internal temperature. This can cause the heat exchanger the overheat, which is the most expensive component. A defective heat exchanger can be a safety hazard to homeowners due to carbon monoxide infiltration.

Harms Energy Efficiency

Unlike the myth states, closing vents increases energy consumption and costs. The air conditioning system doesn’t know when you close your vents, which can cause the heating system to overwork to heat the space it is designed for. No matter how many vents are open or closed, the AC system will still produce the same amount of air. The leaks caused by the closed vents can also cause long-term and unnecessary energy waste. You are not saving money while the machine runs overtime. In reality, you’re spending more and running the machine to death, forcing you to spend more money on a new HVAC system faster than you anticipated.

Promotes Mold Growth

As air builds up in a closed vent, condensation can occur because of the lower surface temperatures in the unused rooms. This can cause mildew and mold growth. While mold in the house is treatable using bleach, the only solution to mold lurking in your air ducts is to call in a Green Apple HVAC technician. Mold infestation usually comes with a musty odor, and if there is mold in your HVAC system, you should be able to smell it. If the problem is severe, it can be spotted around the ducts. Making sure the vents are open would keep your air vents dry and mold-free, preventing moisture build-up and preventing mold spores from harming your family.

Disrupts Temperature Balance

Closing one or more vents can disrupt the airflow and temperature balance of the whole system. This can cause issues such as insufficient airflow in rooms far away from the blower or excessive airflow in rooms closest to the blower. There must be adequate airflow volume to make sure the system maintains a consistent temperature no matter how far the rooms are from the blower.

Imbalances Air Pressure

While the vents to your HVAC system are shut and the supply vent is shut, the same amount of air isn’t supplied back to a room. This can cause low air pressure inside the closed room. As the air pressure inside the room decreases, air from outside can seep into small cracks, gaps, or holes in the windows or doors. This can cause the temperature inside your home to decrease and increase based on what the temperature is outside. This can also lead to reduced air quality inside the house which can impact the household resident’s health.

Lowers HVAC System Lifespan

As supply vents are shut, static pressure inside the ductwork increases. Static pressure is a measurement that refers to the amount of resistance that air encounters as it moves through the HVAC system. Without some resistance, there would be very little airflow and conditioned air circulating throughout the house. While it is common to have too much static pressure, it can cause some negative effects, such as hot and cold spots throughout the house, a frozen AC coil, and higher utility bills. Closed vents also cause the blower to work harder than it should, which can weaken HVAC components and shorten the life expectancy of your system.

Take Control Of Your Air Flow

Instead of closing the vents, consider upgrading to a multi-zone HVAC system. This will allow the homeowner to control the temperatures for individual rooms. This could mean a separate zone and thermostat for different sections of your household, such as your upstairs or downstairs. If installing a multi-zone HVAC system is too expensive, another solution is scheduled maintenance. As an air filter gets older, it becomes more efficient, but it also increases the amount of resistance in your system and it reduces airflow in your household. You should also make sure to have your furnace cleaned every few years and ensure that all the ducts are tightly sealed.

What About Partially Closing Vents?

While fully closing vents harm energy efficiency, partially closing one or two vents that are farthest away from your furnace may increase your energy savings. Unlike fully closing the vents, partially closing them still allows for proper airflow through the HVAC system. This prevents overheating and reduces pressure inside the ductwork. Because heat rises, homeowners can consider partially closing upstairs vents and fully opening those downstairs. The top floor often steals most of the heat, but partially closing vents can help to keep other areas of your house warmer without damaging or stressing your house’s HVAC system.

Green Apple Mechanical are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the New Jersey area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priorities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC needs call us today toll-free at 888-611-7191

Is Your Home Trying To Tell You Something?

Air filters are easy to change by slipping out the old filter and then sliding in the new one.

How Often Should I Be Getting HVAC Maintenance?

Over the years, climate control systems start performing less and less effectively, and efficiently.

A Home Improvement That Saves Time & Money

Heating and cooling your home makes up a large part of your total energy expenses each month. In fact, Energy Star Reports that approximately 45% of a home’s energy is used for heating and cooling. With nearly half of your monthly utility costs going towards keeping your home comfortable, having the most energy-efficient comfort systems can go a long way toward helping New Jersey homeowners keep these costs down.

One excellent option is a modern thermostat. From upgrading to a smart thermostat system to simply relocating your current unit, there are many ways for homeowners to save on their total energy expenses.

SMART THERMOSTAT INSTALLATION CUTS ENERGY COSTS FOR NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS

Home thermostats have come a long way, especially in the last 10 years. Manual systems that require homeowners to continually monitor their home’s temperature and make adjustments have been traded in for programmable or smart thermostats. Each upgrade comes with its own set of benefits, and homeowners have many options to choose from when selecting a replacement thermostat.

Programmable Thermostats

A programmable thermostat allows homeowners to adjust the heating and cooling settings for specific times of the day without the need for manual adjustments. Experts estimate that homeowners with manual systems adjust their thermostats infrequently, resulting in higher overall costs for their energy bills each month.

With a programmable system, homeowners can program their units to increase or decrease the temperature in their homes at specific times of the day. For example, a programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home when you’re sleeping or working, reducing both energy use and costs.

Smart Thermostats

A step up from programmable systems, smart thermostats offer the most opportunity for cost savings. Many smart systems come with remote connectivity, so you can use your smartphone or other smart devices to connect to the unit and remotely adjust your thermostat.

With a smart thermostat, homeowners can make adjustments to their home’s temperature even when they’re not physically in the house. Simply go to the app on your smart device, and adjust the temperature accordingly!

THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT CAN SAVE NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS MONEY

Another way homeowners can cut their energy costs is with thermostat replacement services. This is especially true when thermostats are at least 10 years old. Not only have smart technology developments brought thermostats a long way, but even today’s manual thermostats are designed with more energy-efficient technology to help homeowners save money on heating and cooling costs.

To optimize efficiency, thermostats need to be placed in a central location in a home. If you have a poorly placed system, relocating the system when you replace your thermostat is typically recommended.

Whenever you need a thermostat replacement or installation in New Jersey, you can trust the team at Green Apple Mechanical to get the job done right.

SCHEDULE THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT & INSTALLATION IN NEW JERSEY

Whether you’re looking for a smart or programmable thermostat or it’s time to relocate your current thermostat, the HVAC professionals at Green Apple Mechanical are here to help. Our team is proud to serve residents throughout the New Jersey area, providing a wide selection of the industry’s top-rated products for more energy-efficient heating and cooling. Our team at Green Apple Mechanical is here to take your call to ensure your home stays comfortable all year long. Green Apple Mechanical are the experts you can trust. We have been serving the New Jersey area for years with professionalism and expertise. Customer service and care are always our number one priorities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of your HVAC needs call us today toll-free at 888-611-7191

Simplify Your HVAC & Thermostat

Using a programmable thermostat also means that there is less need to frequently adjust it to retain the comfort level of the people in the home.

Ensure Your Family Has the Best Air Quality

You want to make sure that your family breathes the best air in your home, and there are many things indoors that pollute the air and create poor air quality.

How To Get The Absolute Most Out Of Your HVAC System

HVAC technology is rapidly changing, often resulting in improvements that can help make your system run more efficiently and save you money on energy bills.