Your next heating bill is probably going to be higher than your last, considering the cold spell we went through just last month. This fluctuation is natural—but what you shouldn’t see is a sudden and dramatic increase in your bills this year despite comparable use to last year.
If you do notice this, it’s a sign that your Austin, TX heating system isn’t running as efficiently as it should be and you are literally paying for it. First, this could be a sign of an aging system or a system that is experiencing some issues that need repair. So if you haven’t had your heater checked in the last year, it’s a good idea to have it inspected, even if we are heading for warmer temperatures very soon.
The efficiency tips we’re about to share below apply to both heating and cooling systems, since we definitely get a lot of use out of the latter around our area!
Schedule Routine Maintenance
This is, of course, one we have to mention right away. Without routine professional maintenance, there’s just no way your HVAC system can perform as effectively or efficiently as it is meant to. During maintenance, our technicians will fully inspect your system for any signs of wear, damaged components, or anything that needs adjusting.
We’ll also thoroughly clean your system to make sure that no dust, dirt, or debris gets in the way of your system’s operation. If you have a standard central AC, furnace, or boiler, then this service should be conducted once a year. If, however, you have a year-round heat pump, then you should be scheduling maintenance every six months.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you’re still using an old manual slider thermostat, then you are likely not using your HVAC system as efficiently as you could be. These older thermostats can be off by a few degrees, and the smallest offsetting can negatively affect how efficiently your system heats or cools your home.
Consider upgrading to a digital thermostat for more precise control, or even a smart thermostat. The latter “learns” your heating and cooling patterns and adjusts itself accordingly for maximum efficiency.
Change Your Air Filters
Did you know that the air filters that come standard with your forced-air heating and cooling systems are actually not there to protect your indoor air quality, but rather the inside components of your HVAC system? For this reason, it’s important to change them on a routine basis.
The typical recommendation is to change your air filters every three months during periods of use. However, if you have significant contaminants in your home such as cigarette smoke or excessive pet dander, you may consider upping this to once a month.
Use Your Ceiling Fans!
Whether it’s winter or summer, using your ceiling fan can help improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. This is because it helps more evenly distribute conditioned air. In the summer, this means you won’t have to turn your air conditioner down so low. In the wintertime, you can flip a switch on the fan and reverse the fan blades direction so that it has the same effect on your heater.
Roznovak’s Services is your trusted resource for superior HVAC services. Contact us today!
