Utility bills in America primarily center around heating and air conditioning, normally costing up to half of the utility expenses. Staying comfortable indoors has become a necessity for many people, especially those that live in wildly hot or cold climates. This means a large expense for Americans is heating and air conditioning. Learning how to use your heating and air conditioning efficiently can help you, your wallet, and the environment. A lot of energy is required to keep your home cold or warm, so it is important to maximize the efficiency of your home’s utilities. Here are some tips to keep your temperature system healthy and efficient throughout the year:
Notice When Something May Be Wrong
Outside of routine maintenance, it is important to be conscious of whether something may be wrong with your unit. This will help minimize long-term issues. Signs you should look out for are if your house is unevenly cooled or heated. This could suggest inadequate window sealing or insufficient insulation. A home that is not properly sealed will not manage to stay cool or warm, no matter how strong their system is. If you find that some rooms are developing humidity issues, that may also be a sign of poor insulation. Be sure to get a professional opinion on the matters if it is not fixed by changing the filter or cleaning the vents.
Regular Home Maintenance Air conditioning systems are commonly referred to as HVAC and need to be maintained and repaired for maximum efficiency. The small fee you pay for the repair will more than save you in the long term but not all maintenance requires a professional. Air conditioning service will generally start with cleaning the filters, which can improve efficiency by over ten percent, but filters can be cleaned and changed by homeowners if they are comfortable with it. Filters should be changed every 30 to 60 days.
Another repair that the homeowner can also do is remove obstructions from the unit. Common items that cause obstruction in the vents include pests, dust, and buildup. These obstructions will block airflow and stop the machine from working efficiently, making it harder for the machine to keep the house cool. This also is the reason for the higher energy output and electric bill. Homeowners will often forget to check their machines which is why having a professional do regular maintenance can make your machine both safer and more efficient. Repairs beyond these listed steps should be left to an air conditioning expert.
Get Regular HVAC Repairs
One of the best ways to make your system more efficient is getting regular HVAC repairs. The most common issue for air conditioning machines is fuses because fuses have a limited lifespan in your unit. They will often be changed multiple times before your unit needs to be replaced. Enlisting the help of an expert in the general consensus on repairing HVAC fuses. This is a repair best left to professionals on the off chance that the owner can receive an injury.
If your machine needs to be installed or removed, also contact a trusted expert in the area. These are repairs that require professionals and should not be done at home. Having regular inspections on your system should be a priority for any person with a heating and cooling unit. Air conditioning experts can diagnose and repair the problem before you have to get a new unit entirely.
Sometimes You Just Need a Replacement
You noticed that your repairs have become more frequent and the bills won’t stop going up. The rise in energy cost may be due to the fact that your equipment is too old. Old age and poor condition of your equipment can significantly decrease the efficiency of the temperature regulating process. Heating and cooling equipment generally have a life span past ten years, but they become significantly less efficient at the decade mark. It may save you money, in the long run, to replace the system with a new one altogether.
Help Your System
Homeowners should close windows and close blinds in hotter months if they do not want their air conditioning unit to be working overly hard. This will reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your home cool. During colder months, layer on warmer clothes before turning the thermostat up higher. This will reduce the strain on the machine.
Change The Thermostat
Do not leave your thermostat at a constant temperature. You should choose a lower maintenance temperature if it is winter (ex. 68F) and a higher maintenance temperature if it’s summer (ex.78F). If you are leaving home or going on vacation, be sure to turn off the power to save energy and money.
Be Aware of Gas Leakage
Check gas connections to ensure the burner is properly operating. Gas connections can disconnect, and that can lead to inefficient heating. Burners can become dirty and cracked, which will cause the equipment to become both less safe and efficient. Leaking gas connections can also lead to a fire in a home or cause
