Throughout the coldest and hottest days in Delray Beach, your heating and cooling system is an important ally in keeping your home comfortable. However, 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 be the culprit behind nearly half of your energy usage.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a good place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or want to lower your energy bill, there are many ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system uses energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are important to maintaining your home’s air quality. They help capture a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and stop them from polluting your home. However, dirty filters impact even more than the air quality. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can reduce air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Changing out your air filter routinely 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 by dusty conditions, or you have pets inside. Reach out to Kilbourne Heating & AC to find out what frequency of filter change is appropriate for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you depend on your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. Once it is 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 winter weather sets in later. Routine maintenance confirms your equipment is ready to work exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Kilbourne Heating & AC technicians are qualified to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Saving money on your energy bill can be as stress-free 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 drastic measures each day. 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 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 reach that goal. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, usually allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Chat with Kilbourne Heating & AC to see if either of these options are a good fit for you.
Assess Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be an issue on your energy bill each month. Whether they’re no longer running efficiently, are the incorrect size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems have, 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, Kilbourne Heating & AC is here to help. 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 managing your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system choices, the team at Kilbourne Heating & AC in Delray Beach is all set to guide you. Contact us at 561-287-7071 or schedule an appointment online.