You want to take good care of your family this winter. Holidays are coming, you have clients to meet with and all sorts of obligations make themselves known on a rolling basis. What you don’t need is your cooling system and heating system failing on you when you need it most. Who wants sleepless nights tossing, turning and trying to get warm?
Check out these tips and statistics so you and your family can be well on the way to comfort and a reduced energy bill in one go.
Heating And Cooling In American History
How has heating and cooling changed over the years? Our HVAC systems are much more efficient, for one. An in-window air conditioning unit back in the 1940’s would see you spending over $350 in the 1940’s equivalent, which would account for over $3,000 today. Over two-thirds of American homes have a central air conditioning system, furnace or boiler in place — it’s thought heating and cooling will account for 50% of the typical’s home energy usage, if not more for larger families. Compare this to the early 1990’s, where just 70% of all occupied homes had AC.
Check Your Windows And Doors For Cracks
This can seem like a strange place to start with, but the cracks in your home’s foundation are a major contributor to lost heating. Studies have shown at least 25% of your home’s heat is lost through small cracks and holes. Installing insulation in your attic is another great way of keeping your house warm during the cold season, as a poorly insulated attic can see 20% of every dollar spent evaporating straight through the roof. For those tired of surprise energy bills, this can save you a ton of trouble down the road.
Use A Programmable Thermostat More Often
Your cooling system isn’t the only thing that contributes to a lower energy bill. You need to take smarter actions around the home to whittle down your energy usage and keep you stress-free. A programmable thermostat is a useful item to have if you regularly leave the home — it will maintain your home at a consistent temperature so you’re not returning to an overheated home by accident. Just buying a programmable thermostat and adjusting it once in a while can save you 5% per month.
Going Green To Save You Green
Opting for an eco-friendly approach on your cooling system isn’t just a trendy way of saving money. It’s an efficient way of saving money. More manufacturing companies than ever before are starting to make the switch from standard refrigerant (the R-22) to R-410A. This removes chlorine from air conditioning systems, making them more ozone friendly and safer for human exposure all in one go. Talk with your local HVAC service and ask what eco-friendly options they have available.
Look Into Regular HVAC Maintenance
A lot can go wrong in a complex piece of hardware like an air conditioning unit and cooling system. Things can break, parts can wear out and efficiency can be reduced right under your nose. Opting for a yearly check-up can save you the trouble of trying to work with a system that’s failing you. You can also find out whether to replace your filters or seek out a brand new system. Air conditioning units can last for over 15 years, but anything over a decade old will start showing its age.
Improve Your Energy Usage Before It Gets Cold
Don’t wait until the snow hits before you start taking your energy usage seriously. HVAC services can drop by your home and service your system to make sure you’re not wasting hundreds or even thousands of dollars this year by replacing your filters, checking your wires and assessing any unseen damage. Air conditioners use around 5% of all the electricity produced in the United States as we know it. Residential heating is only going to be used more as the weather dips and makes way for the rain and snow.
Are you and your family prepared? Look into a commercial AC service and make sure so you can all enjoy the winter season in style.
