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7 Cheap and Easy Ways to Save Energy this Spring and Summer

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It’s still relatively chilly here in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, but warmer weather will be here before you know it. With that in mind, it is a good idea to look ahead and figure out ways to save now so you can just relax and enjoy your summer later on. There are countless ways to save energy in the summer. While some can be expensive, there are also plenty of free or cheap ways for you to lower your energy bills. Here are seven of the best tips from MT Heating and Cooling on doing so. 

Be Smart with Your Thermostat

Chances are, you’re not home all day. When your family isn’t home, you end up wasting energy too cool a home that no one is around to enjoy. With this in mind, you should give your air conditioner a break during the day by turning the thermostat back. This way it won’t run as long or use quite so much energy.  

Don’t turn it off completely, though. You will lose too much cool air that will have to be replaced later. Just a few degrees can make a significant difference. Even if you are home and you can stand the air being a bit hotter, setting your thermostat to a higher temperature (in summer) can help you save. You may also want to consider investing in a programmable thermostat as it can make saving this way easier and more convenient. Talk to MT Heating and Cooling in Johnstown, PA to learn more. 

Make Sure Your Home Has Good Circulation

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If your air conditioner is using energy to create cool air, you want to make sure that air is spreading through your Dauphin County home so you can enjoy it. Therefore, MT Heating and Cooling reccommends paying close attention to the circulation in your home. Here are some tips to help promote airflow in your home. 

  • Make sure vents aren’t blocked. 
  • Make sure vents are clean. 
  • Change your air filter regularly. 
  • Get your air ducts cleaned every 8-10 years.
  • Use fans. 
  • Open windows when the weather is nice. 

By ensuring proper airflow, you can keep your family comfortable and your energy bills low. 

Close Your Curtains When the Sun is High

Sunlight will naturally warm your home. This is great news in the winter as it helps you save on energy bills. However, in the summer, it means making your air conditioner work harder and use even more energy to cool your home. With this in mind, you will want to block the sun during the day to help save some energy. Close your curtains, blinds, or shudders. 

Make Sure Your Home is Sealed and Insulated

If there are any cracks or holes in your home, warm air from outside can leak in making your home warmer. Then your air conditioner has to run longer and use more energy to reach your desired temperature. MT Heating and Cooling recommends taking the time to make your home is sealed. Check around your windows and doors for leaks and seal them if you find any. 

It is also helpful to ensure that your home is insulated. Areas that aren’t insulated, like your basement and attic, can also store heat and make the rest of your home hotter when air leaks out. Insulating these areas help prevent leaks, keeps your home comfortable, and saves energy.  

Be Smart with Appliances 

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Your appliances and devices can also use energy and add heat to your home. Being smart about how you use them can help you save. Use your appliances only as often as you have to and unplug them when they aren’t in use. Be sure to turn off lights when you aren’t in the room as well. You will also want to keep your water usage to a minimum. 

Go On An Outing

As mentioned before, when you aren’t home, you can turn your thermostat back to save some energy. With this in mind, it is a good idea to get out of the house. You can visit somewhere interesting, go out to eat, or even just hang out in your yard. Dining out or grilling prevents adding extra heat to your Johnstown, PA home. You can have fun with your friends or family and save energy on your heating bills while doing so. 

Schedule Maintenance


Finally, it is important to keep up with maintenance on your air conditioner. Doing so helps minimize issues that can cost you more and give your peace of mind that your HVAC system will work when you need it most. MT Heating and Cooling can help you accomplish this. You should schedule maintenance for your HVAC system 1-2 times per year. You can contact MT Heating and Cooling by visiting our website here: https://www.mtheatingandcooling.com/ or by calling (717)-525-9665. Together we can keep your air conditioner running efficiently so you can be comfortable and save money.

Consider the HVAC System Before Buying a New Home

new central pa home

When you are buying a new home in the Dauphin County area, there are many things to consider. Between finding a house with everything your family needs at a good price, to packing and paperwork, it can be fairly easy to overlook something. 

One aspect you should definitely remember to look into is the HVAC system. You want your new home to be comfortable without having the headaches of HVAC breakdowns while you are adjusting to your new place. Check out the tips below and contact MT Heating and Cooling in Johnstown, PA if you need more help. 

Why It Matters

HVAC systems are one of the largest home investments homeowners ever make. They are key when it comes to keeping your family comfortable so they can relax and enjoy their time at home. Yet, when you move, the HVAC system is something you inherit from the previous homeowners. 

If the HVAC system is in good shape, everything will likely run smoothly. On the other hand, if the HVAC system is old or hasn’t received proper maintenance, it can cost your family in the long run. Therefore, it is important to ask questions and find out if the HVAC is going to cause problems in the near future. 

Ask Questions

When visiting your potential home, it is important to ask plenty of questions. Some questions MT Heating and Cooling recommends asking include:

  • How old is the HVAC system?
  • How often did it receive maintenance?
  • When was the last time it was inspected?
  • Has it needed any repairs recently?
  • What is the fuel source?

The more you know, the better prepared you can be to make the right decisions. 

Signs There May Be an Issue

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Along with asking plenty of questions, you can also look for signs of issues yourself. If the HVAC system is making strange noises or has visual damage, you should bring it up. Common sounds include banging, whistling, rattling, and squealing. Some visual issues you may notice include rust, dents, cracks, or mold. 

These types of issues can signify costly repairs. Therefore, you will want to make sure they are taken care of early on so you don’t run into problems while trying to adapt to your new Dauphin County home. 

Contact MT Heating and Cooling for Help

The best way to make sure the HVAC will work properly for you with little to know issues is to call on the professionals at MT Heating and Cooling for a consultation. We will thoroughly inspect the HVAC system and let you know of any potential issues. Then you can make smarter decisions when going forth to buy your new home. 

Negotiate 

Even if there are issues with the HVAC system, you don’t have to give up the home if you like everything else about it. In fact, once you have all of the facts, you can negotiate. If there are issues with the HVAC system, you may be able to talk the owner into giving you a better price for the home. 

What If I Already Bought the Home?

If you already bought and moved into your new home in the Johnstown, PA area, and notice issues with the HVAC system, MT Heating and Cooling can help. We can completely replace the system, repair major issues or just help you find minor issues before they turn into major issues. Even if it doesn’t seem like there is anything wrong with your HVAC system, it is still a good idea to call MT Heating and Cooling for preventative maintenance. 

You can schedule service from MT Heating and Cooling on our website here:  https://www.mtheatingandcooling.com/. Alternatively, you can call us at (717)-525-9665. We will help you make your new home comfortable and efficient so your family can enjoy their lives in a new place.