Throughout the coldest and hottest weeks in Hasbrouck Heights, 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 make up nearly half of your energy usage.
That large draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility bill, there are several ways—big and small—to manage how your heating and cooling system consumes energy.
Switch Out Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are critical to keeping up your home’s air quality. They help capture a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and block them from polluting your home. 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 regularly keeps your system from using an unwarranted amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters each month. Remember, filters could need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is subject to dusty conditions, or you have pets at your home. Contact ACE Solutions to find out what frequency of filter change is appropriate for your system.
Schedule Timely HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. Once it is spring, have an HVAC technician inspect 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 ensures your equipment is ready to work exactly as it was planned to—with peak efficiency. ACE Solutions technicians are trained to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Lowering that utility bill can be as simple as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or gone. 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 gone.
You could make these adjustments on your own each day, but a programmable thermostat helps 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 set the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Consult with ACE Solutions to see if either of these options will work for you.
Review Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be an issue on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer working efficiently, are the incorrect 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, ACE Solutions can help you out. We’ll help you understand different efficiency ratings and pick a system that will work for your needs.
If you have additional questions about watching your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at ACE Solutions in Hasbrouck Heights is all set to guide you. Call us at 201-579-2562 or schedule an appointment online.