3 Tips to Limit Heating and Cooling Costs
As energy prices soar, many families are looking for ways to reduce the amount they spend on home heating and cooling. Here are a few tips that can help.
1. Be Smart With Heating and Cooling Controls
Heating and cooling systems work best when you are not constantly fiddling with the controls. The best way to bring your home to the correct temperature is to use the thermostat settings to tell the system what temperature you want your home to be. Unfortunately, many people crank the target temperature up high when they are cold and set it very low when they feel too hot, but the effect of this approach will make the system overshoot the target temperature, wasting energy.
If your heating and cooling system has a timer, you have better control options. Set the heating or air conditioning to switch on shortly before you get up or arrive home from work so that the home is always at the proper temperature. A timer can also automatically switch off the system when you leave for work or go to bed, avoiding energy wastage.
2. Maintain Your Heating and Cooling System
Regular maintenance can help your heating and cooling system operate efficiently, therefore avoiding energy wastage. Find a trustworthy local HVAC company to perform regular tune-ups of your system. During a tune-up, technicians clean the system, look for signs of wear and tear and let you know if any parts of the system need replacing to prevent a breakdown and allow it to work more efficiently. What you spend on this kind of regular maintenance is likely to result in much larger savings in terms of reduced energy spending and lower repair bills.
3. Replace Filters on Time
All heating and cooling systems contain filters that remove dirt, dust, pollen, hair and other airborne debris from the air that circulates inside your home. In the course of performing this important job, filters gradually become blocked until they need to be replaced.
You should ensure that your filters are always replaced according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule. If you do not feel confident to carry out this simple task yourself, you can contact a local HVAC service. New filters are inexpensive and can save you money on your energy bills by improving the efficiency of the system. To learn more, contact a company that offers things like heating and cooling services.