Through the coldest and hottest days in Wharton, 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 reduce your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could account for nearly half of your household’s energy use.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a good place to start improving your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint or want to lower your energy bill, there are several ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system expends energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are vital to keeping up your home’s air quality. They help catch a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and stop them from polluting your home. However, when your filters become dirty, it isn’t just your air quality that is affected. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can reduce air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Replacing your air filter regularly keeps your system from using an unwarranted amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every month. Remember, filters might need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is subject to dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Contact Faust Air Conditioning and Heating to find out what frequency of filter change is correct for your system.
Schedule Routine HVAC Service
If you depend on your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. While it’s spring, have an HVAC technician assess 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. Regular maintenance ensures your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Faust Air Conditioning and Heating technicians are well-equipped to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Lowering that utility bill can be as simple as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or gone. The closer the house’s temp is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take extreme measures each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or increasing (depending on the season) your temperature by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or gone.
You could make these adjustments yourself each day, but a programmable thermostat streamlines the process. These thermostats allow you to determine a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically regulates the temperature in your home to match it. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, typically allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Talk with Faust Air Conditioning and Heating to see if either of these options will work for you.
Assess Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill each month. Whether they’re no longer running efficiently, are the inappropriate size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, 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, Faust Air Conditioning and Heating can help you out. We’ll help you get to know different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have more questions about monitoring your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system options, the team at Faust Air Conditioning and Heating in Wharton is all set to guide you. Call us at 979-323-6130 or schedule an appointment online.