WHILE you may not be an HVAC specialist, there are a few things you can do to save yourself some money during the last bit of summer.
A repairman and HVAC expert, suggests three tips the average person should know to decrease cooling costs.
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The repairman has over 7,300 TikTok followers and over a decade of experienceCredit: hvac_tips
The HVAC business owner and entrepreneur, who goes by the name hvac_tips on TikTok, shares tons of videos educating others on all things heating and cooling.
He has tips and tricks on how to properly maintain your systems, proper HVAC pricing, and even easy installation hacks.
Recently, the HVAC specialist posted a video on TikTok revealing three simple things to do in order to save money on your air conditioning system:
- Upgrade your thermostat
- Get the correct filter
- Perform routine maintenance
1. Upgrading your thermostat
There are many problems with older thermostats.
One common issue is accuracy.
For example, let’s say you set the temperature to 70, it may not shut off until 68.
This means it will stay on longer which will cost you more money.
In another video, he suggested upgrading to the Eccobee, one with wifi connectivity.
Once connected, it will learn which temperature you like and then watch the weather forecast and be able to get your house to the temperature you prefer using off peak hours.
2. A new filter
A good filter can save you money long term and help with the overall life of the unit.
When deciding which filter is best for your home consider these two things: how much air can get through the filter and how much dirt the filter can catch.
He said in a separate video that most filters on the market don’t catch that many particles found in the air.
“Most basic fiberglass filters that people have in their house only catch about 20% or less than 20% of the stuff that goes through it,” the expert said.
Additionally, he mentioned that the higher the MERV rating, the more particles it catches and restrictive it will be.
A Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) report a filter’s ability to capture larger particles.
He suggested a one-inch filter with extended pleating.
These are designed to provide great air flow but also catch all of the unwanted particles.
The one he showed on the video is a MERV 10.
3. Maintaining your system
Doing your own HVAC maintenance can save you money on service costs, early replacements on your system, and many headaches.
The first thing you can do is check your drains.
In his last video, he said that unclogging a drain is an easy way to save money as you won’t need to pay someone to come out and fix something you may be able to do yourself.
Here are a few ways to unclog a drain:
- Pour vinegar or bleach down the drain to clear out any algae
- Shop vac anything unwanted
The last few preemptive measures are to check your filters to make sure they are clean and working properly and to make sure your unit is sealed so no air is leaking out.
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