Did you know that keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter accounts for about 25% of your home’s total electricity usage? It’s no wonder homeowners are always on the hunt for tips and tricks to save money.
Yet one contributor often overlooked is the HVAC system itself. Sure, adjusting the thermostat by a couple of degrees, closing windows and exterior doors while a heating or cooling system is in use, etc., are all great habits – but they won’t do much if the system is wasting more energy than it should.
Here are five ways you can tell if it is.
- Temperatures fluctuate from room to room.Hot and cold spots are not just annoying, they waste energy and result in higher utility bills as you try to compensate for the uneven air distribution. Let’s say you turn on the A/C and set the thermostat to 70 degrees, but your daughter’s room barely dips below 75. So, you add a window unit or run a fan 24/7 to keep her cool and comfortable. Lack of system maintenance and poorly designed ductwork are just two causes of uneven air distribution.
- Central air no longer removes excess humidity from the air. An efficient AC system should maintain cool temperatures and remove excess humidity for even greater comfort. And what happens when you start feeling sticky? You lower the thermostat even more thinking cooler air will solve the problem – but it won’t. All you’re doing is running up higher and higher energy costs. To resolve the situation, you need either a dehumidifier or a replacement AC system.
- The furnace or AC system runs constantly. If your heating or cooling system struggles to keep your home as cool or warm as you desire, it could be under- or over-sized for your home. This puts added stress on the system which, in turn, results in significant energy waste and shortened equipment life. Consult with an HVAC pro to determine whether your systems are designed and sized right for your home and your family’s indoor comfort needs.
- You’re experiencing more frequent repairs. With routine maintenance, heating and cooling systems should be out of sight and out of mind. Sure, you can expect service from time to time, but if your HVAC tech has practically moved in, it’s time to consider system replacement.
- Your heating and cooling system is approaching double digits. As a system ages, it loses energy efficiency over time and requires more frequent repairs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program, boilers and furnaces should be replaced after about 15 years, and central air systems and heat pumps after 10 years. In fact, replacing a dated system with a high-efficiency model should generate enough energy savings to eventually cover the cost of your new system.
If you’re not enjoying maximum benefit from your heating or cooling system while associated utility costs continue to rise, contact Anthony’s Plumbing, Heating & AC to schedule a complete system analysis. Whether the future calls for repair or replacement, you’ll appreciate our professionalism along with our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
