4 Steps for Heating and Cooling More Efficiently

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Roughly half of what you spend on energy every year goes toward keeping your home comfortable. Taking a proactive approach to heating and cooling more efficiently can help you keep these costs under control. You can start with the following steps:

  • Keep your HVAC equipment properly maintained. By scheduling a spring tuneup on your air conditioner and a fall checkup on the furnace, your entire system can be optimized for energy efficiency. Regular preventative maintenance can also catch small issues before they result in costly repairs and lower your risk of unexpected equipment failures.
  • Check your HVAC filter monthly during the heating and cooling seasons. Change or clean the air filter whenever it looks dirty. The reduced airflow that results from a clogged filter makes your HVAC system system work harder to heat or cool your home effectively, plus it requires more energy. A dirty air filter also lets dirt and dust accumulate on your system’s components, which can cause damage and shorten their life expectancy.
  • Have a programmable thermostat installed. Use it to schedule automatic temperature adjustments at night and during the day if you’re away from home. Raising or lowering your target temperature by a single degree, according to the season, can reduce your yearly energy consumption by 5 to 8 percent.
  • Seal and insulate ductwork. The conditioned air that escapes from leaky, uninsulated ductwork results in considerable energy losses, especially when the ductwork runs through areas like the attic, basement, garage or crawl space. To improve your system’s efficiency by 20 percent or more, seal the seams and connections using metal-backed tape, and then wrap the ducting in insulation.

If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it may be time to think about a replacement. Talk to your HVAC pro about a whole-home approach that addresses air sealing, insulation and the ductwork system, and ask about the benefits of Energy Star-rated equipment.

For additional information on heating and cooling more efficiently in your home, contact us at Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve been serving the home comfort needs of greater Cincinnati area residents since 1910.

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"Ernie & Mike did a superb job on my new furnace and A/C installation. Despite having more than a day’s work to do, they came in and stayed until the job was done. They were organized, efficient, and protected the rest of the house well. Got both furnace and A/C installed the same day. Ernie was courteous, informative, and clearly knew his job better than anyone I’ve encountered before. The units look so good guests now get The Tour of our new system. Apollo is clearly not a fly-by-night company. I would recommend them to anyone in need of a new furnace and/or A/C."
- Jerry A.
"I called Apollo because of a water leak I thought I had in our upstairs shower going into the kitchen. Robbie came and assured me everything was fine & looked at all the other plumbing. He ended up changing a few pipes for our washer & clearing a drain. He was very nice & knowledgeable with all my questions. I ended up signing up for the care plan & was very happy with my service."
- Cassandra B.
"The team at Apollo exceeded my expectations. As a business owner, my attention to the details and commitment to providing excellent service is high. From the sales rep. to the installation team, everyone’s performance was outstanding. For example, the installation team went to great lengths to protect our floors, placing floor runners and across the wood floors and up the stairs. They even were spot washing walls upon their departure. I highly recommend this company."
- Randy B.
"We scheduled an estimate AND a tune-up. We knew something was wrong with our furnace, but hoped we could make it through the rest of the season. Upon telling Bill what our furnace was doing, he warned us immediately what the possible outcome was going to be; a cracked heat exchanger. He watched the flames roll backward, tested carbon monoxide levels, which were so high they meter’s last reading was 5,600 before saying “high”. He immediately shut it down, tagged it, and explained that with levels that high and children in our home he wanted off right away. He continued his inspection and showed us via a camera that not only was it cracked in multiple places, but had holes all over it. He gave us a few options for repairing it; his knowledge as well as genuine concern was beneficial and refreshing. Luckily we also scheduled an estimator, Micah, to come too and we were able to get costs between repairing and replacing (with several options). We decided to replace with a much higher efficiency furnace and one sized properly to our home. Hands down, not only did they both provide us great service and knowledge, but without sounding dramatic, they may have saved our lives. This was our first time calling Apollo, but it won’t be our last."
- Sarah B.
"Apollo is an excellent company. I always receive great service. Alex A. was professional and friendly. He kept me informed during the process of checking my furnace and heat pump to make sure they were working properly. The company makes sure you are notified who is coming and when they are on the way. All my interactions with the company have been wonderful."
- Beverly S.
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