Throughout the coldest and hottest weeks in Omaha, your heating and cooling system is an essential ally in keeping your home comfortable. Unfortunately, it’s also your worst enemy when trying to reduce your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could make up nearly half of your energy usage.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a good place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility costs, there are several 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 important to keeping up 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 home. 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 reduce air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Changing out your air filter consistently keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters each month. Remember, filters might need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is by dusty conditions, or you have pets inside. Reach out to Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning to find out what frequency of filter change is right for your system.
Schedule Timely HVAC Service
If you want your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is a must. While it’s spring, have an HVAC technician review 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. Regular maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning experts are qualified 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 not at home. 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 extreme measures each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or increasing (depending on the season) your temperature by just resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from the home.
You could make these adjustments on your own each day, but a programmable thermostat automates the process. These thermostats allow you to set a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically controls the temperature in your home to match it. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, usually allowing you to set the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Consult with Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
Assess Your Equipment
Out-of-date HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer running efficiently, are the inappropriate size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems provide, there’s a likelihood your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve determined it’s time to look for a replacement system, Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. We’ll help you get to know different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have other questions about watching your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system choices, the team at Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning in Omaha is all set to guide you. Call us at 402-509-5940 or schedule an appointment online.