9 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bills

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HVAC systems claim more than half of total household energy consumption, and cost thousands of dollars to replace. Maintaining your HVAC system in peak condition holds monthly energy bills down, and prevents spending big bucks on AC or heating service repair or HVAC installation.

Here are some tips to help keep your home comfortable and your budget in the black:

1. Schedule Professional HVAC Preventive Maintenance

Schedule two tune-ups each year, one in the spring for the air conditioning and one in the fall for the heating. During these visits, HVAC technicians will thoroughly service, inspect and troubleshoot the system to keep it working efficiently and prevent breakdowns.

Your HVAC tech will:

  • Look over the thermostat calibration and settings
  • Tighten up electrical connections if needed
  • Lube moving parts
  • Examine the condensate drain and clean if needed
  • Check the controls of the system
  • Clean, and if needed, adjust blower parts
  • Clean evaporator and condenser coils
  • Check the charge of the refrigerant
  • Check connections in the fuel lines
  • Inspect the heat exchanger, burner combustion and pressure of gas

If you do not have an HVAC contractor you trust, try Jansen Heating & Cooling. We offer reliable, affordable service throughout Greater Cincinnati.

2. Change Your Furnace Filter

Filters remove dust, hair and other particles so these pollutants are not spread throughout the home. It will upgrade air quality in your house and save energy if you change the filter monthly. Clean filters allow more air to pass through, so the system heats and cools more efficiently.

Filters with a MERV rating from seven and 13 offer an excellent balance between filtration and airflow for most home HVAC systems.

3. Perform Visual Inspection of the HVAC System

Inspect the system when changing the filter to check for potential problems. Look over the thermostat, inside the furnace, the outside AC unit, returns and registers.

4. Keep the Outside Unit Clean and Clear

Remove debris on top and near the AC unit each time you work in the yard, and hose the unit down if dirt has accumulated. Trim nearby plants to at least two feet from all sides of the unit to help maintain proper airflow.

5. Regulate Your Home Temperature

Consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of day. If you let the house stay cooler in Winter and warmer in Summer while you are away, the system will run less, use less energy and have a longer live.

6. Change Your Thermostat Batteries

While some thermostats are hardwired into the electrical system, most are battery-powered. Replace the batteries once a year or more to prevent problems.

7. Maintain the Carbon Monoxide Detector

A detector to measure carbon dioxide is essential in homes that use natural gas or fuel oil heating. If you had an exhaust leak, excess gas flow, impaired ventilation or other breakdown, the alarm could literally keep you alive.

These devices have an average working life of about seven years. Test the detector monthly to ensure it is in proper working order; if it is not working, replace it promptly. The batteries will need to be changed about twice a year.

8. Monitor Energy Bills

If you notice either a spike or a gradual increase in energy consumption when usage is unchanged, it could be a sign of an issue with your HVAC system. Call your trusted heating and cooling company and ask for a service visit. The cause could be duct leaks, low refrigerant, dirty filters, failing parts or other issues.

9. Consider Replacement

The average HVAC system lasts between 15 and 25 years. Several variables can change that timeline, including the type of system, brand and consistency of maintenance. By conscientiously caring for your heating and cooling system, you will maximize its working life and maintain higher efficiency for a longer period of time.

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