Throughout the coldest and hottest moments in Phoenix, your heating and cooling system is a critical 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 be the culprit behind 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 reduce your carbon footprint or want to lower your energy bill, there are several ways—big and small—to adapt how your heating and cooling system expends 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 prevent them from polluting your home. However, dirty filters impact even more than the air quality. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can lower air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Changing out your air filter regularly keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every month. Remember, filters could need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is by dusty conditions, or you have pets inside. Contact Integrity AC & Heating LLC to find out what frequency of filter change is appropriate for your system.
Schedule Routine HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. While it’s spring, have an HVAC professional assess 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 winter weather sets in later. Consistent maintenance confirms your equipment is ready to work exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. Integrity AC & Heating LLC technicians are well-equipped 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 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 crazy measures all the time. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or upping (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 streamlines the process. These thermostats allow you to select a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically adjusts the temperature in your home to reach that goal. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, often allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Talk with Integrity AC & Heating LLC to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
Review Your Equipment
Out-of-date HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the wrong size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, 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, Integrity AC & Heating LLC is here to help. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have other questions about monitoring your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system options, the team at Integrity AC & Heating LLC in Phoenix is ready to guide you. Reach us at 602-971-0567 or schedule an appointment online.