Most people don’t realize that heating and cooling a house generally takes up to 40% of total energy expenses (e.g., gas and electric bills). That’s a significant chunk of money going into making sure an HVAC system heats and cools your home. Fortunately, we can pinpoint 4 potential issues you can resolve to bring these costs down and save money.
Maintenance
First of all, a well-maintained system generally tends to be more cost-effective. Almost all central air systems have filters which will become dirty and/or clogged if not replaced regularly. Dirty filters hinder airflow in the house, and the HVAC system will have to work much harder than necessary. This, in turn, will cost you extra money.
Ductwork Issues
A home’s ductwork might have leaks in it, especially if it’s aging, improperly installed, or just poorly installed. The ductwork is what delivers warm or cold air throughout your home, and if it has any leaks, you’ll be diverting the air to places it doesn’t need to go. By making sure that the air is properly routed through the ducts and only getting to where you want it, you’ll maximize the heating and cooling system’s effectiveness/efficiency.
Component Issues
A system may have failing components (like a starting capacitor or relay) or settings that aren’t completely accurate. If a starting capacitor isn’t working properly, for instance, it can make a motor use excessive power. Aside from causing the heating and cooling system to work less effectively, these kinds of component issues will run up your utility bills and end up costing you money.
Dinosaurs
If you have a really old heating and cooling system, you should be aware of how much it costs to run. A 20+ year old system won’t be anywhere near as efficient as a recent system, simply because of the great technological advancements we’ve made over the years. Dinosaur heating and cooling systems may be costing you more money just in energy use than what it would cost to have the system replaced entirely. Sometimes homes can save up to several thousands of dollars per year in utility bills just by updating a very old system.
Your heating and cooling system costs you money. Make sure that you’re not overpaying by being aware of these potential issues. For existing clients, we offer a free heating or cooling check. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call at 540-483-9382.
