During the coldest and hottest days in Florissant, your heating and cooling system is an essential 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 the energy you use.
That big draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a perfect place to start changing your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to shrink 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 consumes energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are vital to upholding your home’s air quality. They help collect a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and block 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 regularly keeps your system from using an excessive 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 by dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Reach out to B & B Heating & Cooling to find out what frequency of filter change is correct for your system.
Schedule Routine HVAC Service
If you depend on your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is a must. Once it is spring, have an HVAC professional 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. Consistent maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to operate exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. B & B Heating & Cooling professionals are trained to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as easy as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or away. 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 crazy measures every day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or upping (depending on the season) your temperature by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from the home.
You could make these adjustments yourself each day, but a programmable thermostat automates the process. These thermostats allow you to set 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, usually allowing you to monitor the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Consult with B & B Heating & Cooling to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
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 provide, there’s a possibility your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to look for a replacement system, B & B Heating & Cooling can give give you a hand. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have more questions about watching your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system options, the team at B & B Heating & Cooling in Florissant is ready to guide you. Reach us at 314-325-7552 or schedule an appointment online.