Throughout the coldest and hottest days in Phoenix, your heating and cooling system is an essential ally in keeping your home comfortable. On the other hand, 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 the energy you use.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start changing your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint or want to lower your energy bill, there are several ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system expends energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are critical 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 house. However, more than just your air quality suffers when your filters are full of debris. 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 consistently keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters once a month. Remember, filters might need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is subject to dusty conditions, or you have pets at your home. Reach out to Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc 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. Once it is spring, have an HVAC professional review your air conditioner and clean its coils, check refrigerant levels, adjust system controls and more. In the fall, have them come to your house again to check up on your furnace and make adjustments before the cooler weather sets in later. Routine maintenance ensures your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc professionals are trained to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as simple as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or away. 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 each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or increasing (depending on the season) your temperature by easily resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from the home.
You could make these adjustments yourself each day, but a programmable thermostat helps the process. These thermostats allow you to determine 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, often allowing you to set the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Talk with Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
Assess Your Equipment
Older HVAC equipment can be an issue on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the inappropriate size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems provide, there’s a good chance 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, Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc 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 arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system options, the team at Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc in Phoenix is all set to guide you. Call us at 602-832-7808 or schedule an appointment online.