The most common question HVAC professionals get concerns why it costs so much to run heating and cooling systems. The genuine answer is always care; how well you take care of your HVAC system. Most malfunctions occur due to neglect, wear and tears, or skipped maintenance checks and repairs.
Other reasons for malfunctioning HVAC systems are you might be using the air conditioner inefficiently. The heating system is worked out during winter while the air conditioner is mostly used during the long, hot summers. It is important to keep these systems performing at peak performance making them more affordable to run. Here are some tips to aid you in doing exactly that:
Watch Your Thermostat Settings
For better air conditioner efficiency, professionals advise homeowners to keep the temperature of the thermostat slightly higher than their desired temperature level. Not to say you keep your home hotter than you find comfortable, but just slightly higher to assist with the air conditioner efficiency.
During the winter season, the same applies but this time instead of blasting your heater to high temperatures it is advisable to lower the thermostat temperature. This saves energy rapidly and subsequently, money.
Use Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are appealingly beautiful and help during the summer seasons to cool you. They do this by helping sweat evaporate from the body. Ceiling fans work well when paired by air conditioners because they distributed the conditioned air evenly.
But this is not all that ceiling fans can do. During the winter the reverse feature on fans is used to distribute the heated air all through your home. This allows you to heat your home more efficiently in the winter.
Change Your Air Filter
There is a misconception among homeowners that the air filter that comes with the HVAC system is there to protect the indoor air quality. The air filter is meant to protect the inner workings of the HVAC system. A blocked air filter can affect the air quality indoors, but this is not its core role.
Air filters should be changed regularly, maybe every 1 to 3 months. This keeps the system running more efficiently and effectively throughout its whole service life.
HVAC systems increase energy bills by up to 50%. This is a price most homeowners are not quite comfortable with yet. But you can lower this impact by making the above adjustments that will ensure you are both comfortable in your home and your energy bills are well within your budget.
