Through the coldest and hottest days in Auburn, 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 big draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a good place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease 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.
Switch Out Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are vital to maintaining your home’s air quality. They help catch a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and prevent 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 decrease air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Changing out your air filter routinely keeps your system from using an unwarranted amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every month. Remember, filters may need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is around dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Contact Forster Heating to find out what frequency of filter change is right for your system.
Schedule Routine HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is key. While it’s spring, have an HVAC technician assess 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 cold weather sets in later. Routine maintenance ensures your equipment is ready to work exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Forster Heating technicians are trained to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Saving money on your energy bill can be as stress-free as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or not at home. The closer the temp in your house is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take extreme measures every day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or upping (depending on the season) your temperature by just resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or not at the house.
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 controls the temperature in your home to reach that goal. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, typically allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Consult with Forster Heating to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
Upgrade Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be an issue 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 possibility 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, Forster Heating 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 additional questions about monitoring your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at Forster Heating in Auburn is all set to guide you. Call us at 530-885-8081 or schedule an appointment online.