In Toronto, efficient HVAC solutions are crucial for both businesses and homeowners, given the cold winters and hot, sticky summers that we experience every year. The efficiency of any particular solution should not be measured in terms of how effectively it regulates the temperature and humidity of the air inside your property alone but also how much energy it consumes in the process. If you would like to minimize energy wastage in your home or business premises, follow the advice below. By doing so, you could save money on your utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

Energy Saving Tips from an Experienced HVAC Contractor

With nearly 25 years of experience in the industry, we have an in-depth knowledge of HVAC systems and how to minimize energy wastage in both commercial and residential applications.

  • Annual Servicing – To guarantee optimal efficiency, it is crucial to regularly service air conditioning units and perform periodic maintenance on furnace equipment. By hiring a fully licensed and qualified technician for an annual tune-up, you can significantly impact your long-term energy usage. Clogged filters and drains in air conditioning systems can result in higher energy consumption to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, as well as potential costs for air conditioning unit repairs.
  • Sealing and Insulating Ducts – Forced air furnaces and central air-con systems will operate more efficiently when the ducts they use are properly sealed and insulated. Efficiency improvements of up to 20% are not uncommon in domestic and commercial HVAC systems after the sealing and insulation of all ducts. An experienced HVAC contractor will be able to inspect your system and carry out all the necessary work to achieve efficiency gains of this magnitude.
  • Programmable Thermostats – Whether Installing a furnace in your home or getting your AC replaced, always get a programmable thermostat installed along with your HVAC equipment. With a programmable thermostat, you can reduce energy usage when your home or business premises are unoccupied. This can result in significant energy savings over time. Turning heating appliances or air-con units off when you are not there will reduce the amount of energy used on heating and cooling your property throughout the year.
  • Upgrading Your Equipment – Talk to any HVAC contractor in Toronto and they will tell you that modern heating and cooling appliances are far more efficient than those available just 10 years ago. For this reason, it is well worth thinking about installing new HVAC equipment if you have not done so for some time. If you decide to replace existing appliances, make sure that you have your whole system inspected beforehand. This will ensure that any existing issues are addressed before you spend money on new equipment.
  • Only Use Fully Licensed and Experienced Contractors –Choosing an HVAC contractor carefully for the installation and maintenance of your air conditioning and heating units is crucial to ensure optimal efficiency. While you may save some money in the short term by opting for cheaper installation and maintenance services, it can lead to higher long-term costs. It is advisable to hire licensed contractors, even for tasks like tuning up a faulty furnace or repairing air conditioning systems.

As awareness of the importance of energy efficiency grows, more and more people are choosing to have home energy audits carried out. An audit is designed to find out how much energy your home uses and how you can improve its efficiency, therefore reducing your energy bills and helping the environment. An energy auditing professional or a licensed Toronto HVAC contractor will be able to make suggestions and recommendations that will help you run your home more efficiently in the future.

Home Energy Auditors and HVAC Contractors Can Assist

It is possible to audit your own home, although this isn’t recommended as it is time-consuming, complicated, and doesn’t give you any new input as to how you can improve efficiency. To do this, you would need to know your annual energy expenditure, the area of your house, and the energy efficiency of other homes in your area of Toronto. It is much more productive to use the services of a home energy auditor, who will combine the use of various techniques to reach an accurate approximation of your household energy efficiency and make recommendations based on that.

When taking this approach, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Home Energy Auditors Use a Variety of Techniques –

It is worthwhile to ask a professional what techniques they will use to assess the energy efficiency of your home. A good auditor will be taking readings using infrared detectors, thermal imaging, and blower doors. There is no point in paying for someone who doesn’t use these techniques, as you could probably reach the same conclusions using the same basic techniques. A good auditor will be able to locate specific areas which are compromising your home’s efficiency.

They Will Inspect Your Systems Thoroughly –

Most of us don’t have the expertise and knowledge to look at an HVAC and determine whether it is working properly or not. An increasing number of HVAC contractors are putting their skills to work in the area of home energy auditing. They will assess the condition of the air conditioning system and the furnace, determine whether they are up to standard, and if they can be upgraded. They will also give you advice on how to improve overall efficiency with periodic furnace maintenance, cleaning filters, ducts, and piping, clearing blockages, and adjusting the thermostat.

They Can Make Recommendations in Several Areas –

Home energy auditing isn’t just about heating and air conditioning. Professionals use their knowledge to take measurements and make recommendations in many areas. Most householders find they can make changes to their lighting, for example, to save money. If not, it may be the case that a tankless water heater could be the answer to your problem.

It’s Good for You and Your Family’s Health –

Home Energy Auditors and HVAC contractors can often make surprising recommendations – the type of water you use for drinking could be improved, or the quality of air inside your home may be raised. These effects can be important for your health. Sometimes, a drastic problem can be rectified – for example, if the auditor detects high levels of CO, CO2, or Radon. Fixing these problems gives you peace of mind and protects you and your family’s wellbeing.

While some proposed solutions may be too expensive to implement immediately, such as replacing window panes, frames, insulation, and so on – it is always worth knowing what needs to be done in case you have work done on the house. It’s always a good time to think about how to improve energy efficiency and so you should get in touch with a home energy auditor or HVAC contractor in Toronto now, to see how you can save money, your health, and the environment.

If you would like to reduce your annual energy consumption and you are looking for a professional HVAC contractor who can help you to achieve this aim, Tropic Air should be your first port of call. We have been providing quality HVAC services in the GTA for over three decades. Our dedication to exceeding client expectations has established us as a prominent firm for furnace installations, boiler repairs, and air conditioning services. We put the customer first by offering same-day emergency repairs for Air Conditioning units, tankless water heaters, and efficient air conditioner installation.