During the coldest and hottest weeks in Lake Worth, your heating and cooling system is an essential ally in keeping your home comfortable. Unfortunately, it’s also your worst enemy when trying to lower your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could account for nearly half of your energy usage.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start changing your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility costs, there are several ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system consumes energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are critical to keeping up your home’s air quality. They help capture a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and block 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 lower air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Switching out your air filter routinely keeps your system from using an unnecessary 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 by dusty conditions, or you have pets inside. Reach out to Smyth Air Conditioning Inc 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 work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. While it’s spring, have an HVAC professional assess your air conditioner and clean its coils, check refrigerant levels, adjust system controls and more. In the fall, have them come back to check up on your furnace and make adjustments before the cooler weather sets in later. Consistent maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Smyth Air Conditioning Inc professionals are qualified 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 away. 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 extreme measures every day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or upping (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 on your own each day, but a programmable thermostat helps the process. These thermostats allow you to set a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically regulates the temperature in your home to reach that goal. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, usually allowing you to monitor the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Talk with Smyth Air Conditioning Inc to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
Assess Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the wrong size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems provide, there’s a possibility 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, Smyth Air Conditioning Inc can give give you a hand. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and pick a system that will work for your needs.
If you have additional questions about watching your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system choices, the team at Smyth Air Conditioning Inc in Lake Worth is all set to guide you. Call us at 561-533-6066 or schedule an appointment online.