How To Extend The Life Of Your Heating And Cooling System
As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills – and your comfort.
Change your air filter regularly
Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it! At a minimum you should change your filter every 2 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool – wasting energy. Try putting a blanket over your car’s radiator and driving a long distance. How far do you think you will get? A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system – leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure as well as help with allergies and pollens.
Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly
Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Keep all grass clippings, mulch and debris away from your outdoor unit and make sure there is space around you air handler. This is not a place to store lots of boxes or items that block the systems ability to perform its job optimally.
Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs. You don’t need the most expensive model on the market. A thermostat that you can easily program is all you need to begin saving money.
Seal your heating and cooling ducts
Ducts that move air to-and-from you air conditioning and heating system are often big energy wasters. By insulating and sealing you ducts you can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent – and sometimes much more.
Hire a Licensed Tampa HVAC Contractor
Hire a licensed heating & air conditioning contractor in Tampa to perform yearly maintenance and any necessary repairs. In the long run, this will save you money and headaches.
Simpson Air – The Coolest Guys in Town!
