Throughout the coldest and hottest days in Tucker, your heating and cooling system is an important ally in keeping your home comfortable. Unfortunately, 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 energy usage.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint or want to lower your energy bill, there are plenty of 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 critical to maintaining your home’s air quality. They help catch a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and prevent them from polluting your house. However, more than just your air quality suffers when your filters are full of debris. 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 might need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is around dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Contact ACS Heating and Air Conditioning to find out what frequency of filter change is correct for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you want your HVAC system to run as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is key. While it’s spring, have an HVAC expert assess your air conditioner and clean its coils, check refrigerant levels, adjust system controls and more. In the fall, have them return to check up on your furnace and make adjustments before the cooler weather sets in later. Routine maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to operate exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. ACS Heating and Air Conditioning technicians are well-equipped 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 gone. The closer the temp in your house is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take crazy measures each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or increasing (depending on the season) your temperature by just resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or gone.
You could make these adjustments yourself each day, but a programmable thermostat automates the process. These thermostats allow you to determine a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically controls the temperature in your home to reach that goal. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, usually allowing you to set the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Consult with ACS Heating and Air Conditioning to see if either of these options will work for you.
Assess Your Equipment
Older HVAC equipment can be an issue on your energy bill every month. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the incorrect size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems provide, there’s a likelihood your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve decided it’s time to look for a replacement system, ACS Heating and Air Conditioning can give give you a hand. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and select a system that will work for your needs.
If you have other questions about monitoring your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at ACS Heating and Air Conditioning in Tucker is prepared to guide you. Contact us at 770-450-1539 or schedule an appointment online.