During the coldest and hottest moments in the Rio Grande Valley, 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 utility bill, there are many 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 important to keeping up your home’s air quality. They help catch a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and stop them from polluting your space. However, dirty filters impact even more than the air quality. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can reduce air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Switching out your air filter regularly keeps your system from using an unnecessary 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 by dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Reach out to Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. to find out what frequency of filter change is right for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you depend on your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is a must. During 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 cold weather sets in later. Routine maintenance ensures your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was planned to—with peak efficiency. Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. technicians are qualified 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 not at home. 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 every day. 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 not at the house.
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 adjusts the temperature in your home to match it. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, typically allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Chat with Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. to see if either of these options will work for you.
Assess Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be a burden on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer running efficiently, are the wrong size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, there’s a good chance your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve decided it’s time to look for a replacement system, Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. can give give you a hand. We’ll help you get to know different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have more questions about watching your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system options, the team at Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. in the Rio Grande Valley is prepared to guide you. Reach us at 956-630-3522 or schedule an appointment online.