Many consumers are familiar with their electricity bills being much higher in the summer, especially if you live in states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas. On the other hand, many consumers whose heating system runs on electricity, find that they spend a lot more during the winter in order to keep their homes warm and comfortable.
Regardless of where you live, you have probably asked yourself more than once, “How can I lower my cooling and heating costs?”. The quick answer is that by saving energy usage, you can lower your cooling and heating costs. But just how do you do this? What are the steps or strategies to lowering your cooling and heating costs?
According to Energy Star, “As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So, making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort.”
Air Duct and Vent Cleaning
Air duct and vent cleaning are activities that people rarely consider when they are making updates, improving, or even spring cleaning their homes. Yet these are two important activities that should not be overlooked for the following reasons:
* Air ducts can hold all sorts of dust, grime, and dirt.
* Dirty air ducts can spread germs, bacteria, and viruses.
* Dirty air ducts mean that dirt, dust, and grime are circulating through your house, which can be harmful not just to your heath, but also to your furniture and belongings.
* Clean air ducts and vents ensure prime effectiveness of your air filtering unit.
* Dirty air ducts and vents can cause odors or even burning smells, especially if the heat is running.
* Dirty air ducts cause your unit to work harder, and when your unit works harder, it consumes more energy, uses more electricity, and increases your costs.
Improve Home Ventilation
Ducts move air throughout your home from your central air conditioner, from a forced furnace, or it may be from a heat pump. You should make sure that air ducts are sealed and insulated properly. Natural ventilation occurs through vents, cracks, and unsealed openings. You can control natural ventilation by caulking cracks, windows and door frames, and other structural weaknesses. Add extra vents to keep the air moving in the direction you want it to. Fans and vents can be added to keep air moving and help your home’s natural ventilation. While using natural ventilation techniques might not be quite as effective as specialized ventilation systems, it can save you energy and money by supplementing your existing system.
An exhaust based ventilation system works by pulling the air from around the house into the ventilation system. A supply based ventilation system works by pushing air out of the ventilation system. A third ventilation system is a balanced ventilation system, which works on both an exhaust and supply method, both pulling in air and exhausting it. True Temp can help determine which is best for your home.
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
In addition to the foregoing, True Temp LLC of Port St. Lucie, Florida reminds customers and readers to be sure to change your air filters regularly. With heavy usage we recommend changing them every month, and at the minimum, change them every three months. Dirty air filters cause your unit to work harder, whether it’s cooling or heating.
Our Air Filter Program
To take the worry out of your having to remember when to change your air filter, we offer an affordable Air Filter Program. Contact us to learn more about signing up for this program.
Schedule an Annual Tune-up
Without proper maintenance, your air conditioning system will not perform efficiently. In order to lower your cooling and heating costs, be sure to schedule an annual tune-up of your HVAC unit.
