Throughout the coldest and hottest days in Tucson, your heating and cooling system is a critical ally in keeping your home comfortable. Unfortunately, it’s also your worst enemy when trying to decrease your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could make up nearly half of your energy usage.
That hefty draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a perfect place to start changing your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility costs, there are plenty of ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system consumes energy.
Change Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are important to maintaining your home’s air quality. They help collect a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and block them from polluting your house. 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. Replacing your air filter consistently keeps your system from using an unwarranted amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters once a month. Remember, filters could need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is subject to dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Reach out to A&M Heating & Cooling LLC to find out what frequency of filter change is right for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you want your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. During spring, have an HVAC technician review 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 confirms your equipment is ready to work exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. A&M Heating & Cooling LLC technicians are well-equipped to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as stress-free 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 each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or raising (depending on the season) your temperature by just resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from the home.
You could make these adjustments yourself each day, but a programmable thermostat streamlines the process. These thermostats allow you to select a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically controls the temperature in your home to match it. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, usually allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Chat with A&M Heating & Cooling LLC to see if either of these options will work for you.
Upgrade Your Equipment
Out-of-date HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill every month. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the incorrect size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, there’s a possibility your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve determined it’s time to look for a replacement system, A&M Heating & Cooling LLC is here to help. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have additional questions about monitoring your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system choices, the team at A&M Heating & Cooling LLC in Tucson is ready to guide you. Reach us at 520-200-1048 or schedule an appointment online.