During the coldest and hottest weeks in Naples, your heating and cooling system is an important 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 account for nearly half of your energy usage.
That large draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a good place to start changing your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility costs, there are plenty of ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system consumes energy.
Switch Out Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are important to upholding your home’s air quality. They help collect a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and prevent 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 lower air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Changing out your air filter regularly keeps your system from using an unwarranted amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters each month. Remember, filters may need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is by dusty conditions, or you have pets at your home. Reach out to Speedy Air Conditioning to find out what frequency of filter change is right for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you depend on your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is key. While it’s spring, have an HVAC expert inspect 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 winter weather sets in later. Routine maintenance confirms your equipment is ready to operate exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Speedy Air Conditioning experts are trained to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Lowering that utility bill can be as easy as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or gone. The closer the house’s temp is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take crazy measures all the time. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or raising (depending on the season) your temperature by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or gone.
You could make these adjustments on your own each day, but a programmable thermostat automates the process. These thermostats allow you to determine a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically adjusts the temperature in your home to meet that temp. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, often allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Talk with Speedy Air Conditioning to see if either of these options will work for you.
Assess Your Equipment
Older HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill every month. Whether they’re no longer running efficiently, are the inappropriate size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, 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, Speedy Air Conditioning can help you out. We’ll help you recognize 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 Speedy Air Conditioning in Naples is all set to guide you. Contact us at 239-244-3439 or schedule an appointment online.
