Throughout the coldest and hottest days in Oxford, 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 make up nearly half of the energy you use.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start improving your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility bill, there are several ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system expends energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are vital to maintaining 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 house. However, dirty filters impact even more than the air quality. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can decrease air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Replacing your air filter routinely keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every month. Remember, filters may need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is around dusty conditions, or you have pets inside. Contact Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc to find out what frequency of filter change is correct for your system.
Schedule Routine HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to run as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. While it’s spring, have an HVAC expert assess 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 cooler weather sets in later. Routine maintenance ensures your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc technicians are well-equipped 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 away. 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 just resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or gone.
You could make these adjustments manually each day, but a programmable thermostat helps the process. These thermostats allow you to select a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically regulates 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. Chat with Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
Review Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be an issue on your energy bill every month. Whether they’re no longer running efficiently, are the incorrect 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, Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help you out. 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 schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system choices, the team at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc in Oxford is ready to guide you. Reach us at 662-281-1231 or schedule an appointment online.