During the coldest and hottest days in Bartlesville, 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 the energy you use.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a perfect place to start improving your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to shrink 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 consumes 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 house. 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 decrease air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Replacing your air filter consistently keeps your system from using an unwarranted amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters once a month. Remember, filters may need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is around dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Contact Farris Heating & Air to find out what frequency of filter change is appropriate for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. During 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 back to check up on your furnace and make adjustments before the cold weather sets in later. Regular maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to work exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. Farris Heating & Air experts 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 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 drastic measures every day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or raising (depending on the season) your temperature by easily resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or not at the house.
You could make these adjustments manually each day, but a programmable thermostat helps the process. These thermostats allow you to select a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically adjusts the temperature in your home to match it. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, often allowing you to monitor the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Chat with Farris Heating & Air 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 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 decided it’s time to look for a replacement system, Farris Heating & Air 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 other questions about watching your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at Farris Heating & Air in Bartlesville is all set to guide you. Call us at 918-333-0376 or schedule an appointment online.