During the coldest and hottest moments in Pella, your heating and cooling system is a critical ally in keeping your home comfortable. On the other hand, it’s also your worst enemy when trying to lower your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could make up nearly half of the energy you use.
That big draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a good place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility costs, there are plenty of ways—big and small—to manage how your heating and cooling system expends energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are critical to upholding your home’s air quality. They help capture a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and prevent them from polluting your space. 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. Switching out your air filter routinely 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 around dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Contact Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating to find out what frequency of filter change is appropriate for your system.
Schedule Timely HVAC Service
If you depend on your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. During spring, have an HVAC professional inspect 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 winter weather sets in later. Regular maintenance ensures your equipment is ready to operate exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating professionals are trained to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Lowering that utility bill can be as stress-free 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 each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or increasing (depending on the season) your temperature by simply 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 select a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically adjusts the temperature in your home to match it. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, often allowing you to monitor the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Talk with Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating to see if either of these options will work for you.
Review Your Equipment
Older HVAC equipment can be a burden on your energy bill each month. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the inappropriate size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, there’s a likelihood your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to look for a replacement system, Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating can give give you a hand. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and select a system that will work for your needs.
If you have other questions about monitoring your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system choices, the team at Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating in Pella is all set to guide you. Call us at 641-628-3621 or schedule an appointment online.