The hot summer months in Texas are known to cause an overload of the power grid. ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) provides conservation alerts to avoid outages. Such alerts encourage the residents to conserve energy during peak periods. With few modifications to your house, you can stay comfortable and help reduce grid strain. Here, we will learn how smart thermostats, thermal-resistant insulation, and airflow plans can help you stay comfortable without overloading the power supply.
Smart Thermostat Schedules for Peak Hours
One of the effective ways to save energy during ERCOT Conservation Days is to have a smart thermostat. These devices give you complete control of your home heating schedule, and it is simple to modify the settings on your HVAC system. When ERCOT sends alerts about conservation, one of the best things to do is to conserve energy during peak periods, which are generally between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. You can contribute to energy savings by not losing comfort but programming your thermostat to alter temperatures during these periods.
For example, during the summer, you can set your thermostat to raise the temperature by several degrees during peak times. Such a minor change has a significant impact on energy consumption. You could apply the same strategy during the winter by lowering the temperature at these times. That way, your HVAC system will not need to exert such strain when the grid is straining, which will save energy and cost.
Most smart thermostats offer such features as geofencing. It relies upon the GPS positioning of your phone to determine when you are out of the house or when you are home. Your thermostat is able to automatically set the temperature to save energy when you are not at home. When you come back, it automatically goes back to your comfort setting. The other useful feature is learning algorithms that adjust according to your daily routine. The thermostat becomes increasingly efficient over time as it learns when to raise the temperature and when not to. These are the features that allow one to save energy without even considering it. There are a variety of smart thermostats that can be used to optimize your home’s energy consumption and allow you to better control the temperature.
Insulation, Air Sealing & Ductwork Efficiency
Another crucial aspect of keeping your home comfortable and energy-saving during ERCOT Conservation Days is good insulation. Lack of proper insulation means that your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain the proper temperature in your home. This causes an increase in energy usage and adds to the load on the power grid.
First, check your attic and walls to inspect insulation gaps. Summers are hot, and without proper insulation, hot air can infiltrate the roof. In the winter season, cold air infiltrates the house, straining your heating system. The addition or improvement of the insulation will assist your house in retaining its heat during winter and help it stay colder during summer. These measures will make sure that your HVAC system does not work too hard to save energy and money.
Air sealing is also important, just like insulation. Little cracks around your windows, doors, or electrical sockets can cause air to escape in and out, making it more difficult to maintain the same temperature in your house. Closing these gaps will help remove drafts and decrease the compensation that your HVAC system will have to make. You will feel more comfortable, and your system won’t need to strain.
Ductwork is a key factor in the efficiency of your HVAC system’s ability to distribute air in your house. When your ducts are leaking or are of the wrong size, they will put your system under stress to heat or cool your house. Insulating and sealing your ducts prevents air loss and makes sure that you use conditioned air in the rooms that you are supposed to be cooling or heating. This procedure will lower the workload on your HVAC system, thus making it more efficient. To get expert insulation services, consider carrying out the required upgrades to ensure that your home is comfortable and energy efficient.
Airflow & Zoning Tricks to Feel Cooler/Warmer
Airflow management is another effective way of staying comfortable without extra energy consumption. Even distribution of air in your home reduces the tendency of your HVAC system to operate more or harder to get your home to the desired temperature. When your system is having problems with cooling or heating some parts of your house, a better airflow can be useful.
A zoning system can be installed as one of the best methods of optimizing airflow. This lets you split your home into temperature-controlled areas, allowing you to set the temperature of each based on its use. You can cool the living room and the kitchen down during the day and leave the bedrooms warmer, as an example. This makes sure that you have only heated or cooled the rooms you are utilizing and you do not waste energy on unused areas.
Besides zoning, it is also important to ensure that your vents are open and not blocked. Vents can be covered by furniture, curtains, and other items and lead to uneven cooling or heating of your house. Periodically inspect to ensure that your vents are clean, guaranteeing a smooth-running HVAC system. This simple measure can enhance airflow and make your house feel better without straining your HVAC system.
The other efficient means of enhancing air conditioning in your house is the application of ceiling fans or box fans. Fans facilitate air circulation, and they make the air cooler in the summer and aid the distribution of warm air in the winter. The fans enable your HVAC system to work more efficiently. They do this by enhancing the flow of air, decreasing the amount of work that the system performs, and limiting its power consumption.
Build a Peak-Ready Home Plan
Prepare your home for ERCOT Conservation Days now to ensure it can handle high-demand periods effectively. Begin with the scheduling of an energy audit. Audits help you determine parts of your house that require insulation enhancements, air sealing, or ducting repairs. Once you understand the areas requiring improvement, you can take appropriate action to reduce energy waste and enhance the energy efficiency of your house.
Minimize energy consumption in your home is by upgrading your insulation. It enables your home to store the heat in during the winter and keep it cooler in the summer so that your HVAC system does not have to strain. Air sealing also means drafts are stopped so that your home can be comfortable with less energy consumption. Investing in a smart thermostat is another way. The device will automatically change your temperature during peak hours and save you energy at home.
If you’re ready to get your house prepared for ERCOT Conservation Days, contact Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air today. We will be able to help install smart thermostats, improve insulation, and make sure that your HVAC system is functioning properly. We can also collaborate to ensure that your Dallas home is energy-saving and prepared for peak load.
