During the coldest and hottest moments in Middletown, your heating and cooling system is a critical ally in keeping your home comfortable. On the other hand, it’s also your worst enemy when trying to decrease your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could be the culprit behind nearly half of your household’s energy use.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start improving your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility bill, there are several ways—big and small—to adapt how your heating and cooling system expends energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are important to keeping up your home’s air quality. They help collect a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and prevent them from polluting your space. However, dirty filters impact even more than the air quality. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can lower air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Switching out your air filter regularly keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every month. Remember, filters could need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is subject to dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Reach out to SchagrinGAS Company to find out what frequency of filter change is correct for your system.
Schedule Timely HVAC Service
If you depend on your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is key. During spring, have an HVAC technician review your air conditioner and clean its coils, check refrigerant levels, adjust system controls and more. In the fall, have them come to your house again to check up on your furnace and make adjustments before the cooler weather sets in later. Consistent maintenance confirms your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was planned to—with peak efficiency. SchagrinGAS Company technicians are qualified to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as simple as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or not at home. The closer your home’s temperature is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take crazy measures all the time. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or increasing (depending on the season) your temperature by easily resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from the home.
You could make these adjustments manually each day, but a programmable thermostat streamlines the process. These thermostats allow you to set a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically controls the temperature in your home to meet that temp. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, usually allowing you to set the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Chat with SchagrinGAS Company to see if either of these options are a good fit for you.
Review Your Equipment
Older HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill each month. Whether they’re no longer working efficiently, are the incorrect size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems have, there’s a good chance your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to look for a replacement system, SchagrinGAS Company is here to help. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have other questions about managing your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at SchagrinGAS Company in Middletown is prepared to guide you. Call us at 302-231-1380 or schedule an appointment online.