You can never do too much when it comes saving energy, making your home greener and reducing your monthly expenses. And the great news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve any of these things!

Trusted HVAC contractors like WM Buffington Company can attest to the fact that investing in energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment is a cost-effective measure that will help lower your heating and cooling expenditures. To further help minimize your household’s energy usage, here are a few simple hacks you can try in addition to upgrading your HVAC system:

Cover Your Windows

Bare windows increase the rate of heat transfer because glass isn’t a good insulator. Dressing up your windows with thick, medium-colored drapes or wooden shutters is a good way to keep out the sun’s infrared light (and the heat that comes with it), as well as block out the cold when desired.

This strategy is especially useful if you don’t have energy-efficient windows. The lack of advanced Low-E coatings, a low-conductance spacer and high-performance gas fill in older windows decreases the resistance of your units to heat transfer.

Create Shade With Trees

WM Buffington Company, along with other experienced providers of HVAC installation services, recommend planting trees on the south and southeastern sides of your house. Abundant greenery is useful in blocking harsh solar rays to help keep adjacent rooms from feeling like a furnace.

Air-Dry Your Laundry

It may be old-fashioned, but air-drying your clothes can save you a lot of energy because a dryer uses a tremendous amount of electricity to operate. If you have a spacious backyard, put up a few clotheslines and watch your energy bills go down.

Layer Your Clothing

Don’t become overly dependent on your heating system in the winter. Wear more clothes to feel naturally warm, allowing you to lower your thermostat by several degrees. By doing this you can literally keep hundreds of dollars in your pocket every year.

Make Use of Your Fans

Ceiling fans don’t condition indoor air, but they can control where the cool and warm air goes. Normally, fans push cool air down to keep rooms comfortable in the summer. In the winter, however, running them in the opposite direction prevents warm air from rising, thus keeping your finished spaces pleasantly warm.

Experts in new heating system installation would ask you to be mindful of indoor pollution, though. Using fans can cause pollutants like mold to spread to non-contaminated areas. If you have excessive humidity problems, resolve them first before turning on any fans.

Keep your HVAC system well-maintained to avoid inefficiencies that can result in higher energy usage. Call WM Buffington Company at (717) 609-4020 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve clients in Harrisburg, PA, and nearby communities.