Through the coldest and hottest moments in Lodi, your heating and cooling system is a critical ally in keeping your home comfortable. On the other hand, 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 big 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 many ways—big and small—to manage how your heating and cooling system uses energy.
Change 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 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 reduce air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Replacing your air filter consistently keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every month. Remember, filters could need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is by dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Call Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning to find out what frequency of filter change is right for your system.
Schedule Timely HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. During spring, have an HVAC expert inspect 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. Regular maintenance confirms your equipment is ready to run exactly as it was planned to—with peak efficiency. Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning professionals are well-equipped to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as easy as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or gone. The closer your home’s temperature 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 upping (depending on the season) your temperature by easily resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or gone.
You could make these adjustments manually each day, but a programmable thermostat streamlines the process. These thermostats allow you to determine a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically regulates the temperature in your home to meet that temp. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, typically allowing you to monitor the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Chat with Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning to see if either of these options will work for you.
Assess Your Equipment
Out-of-date HVAC equipment can be a burden on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer working efficiently, are the incorrect size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems provide, 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, Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning can help you out. We’ll help you recognize different efficiency ratings and choose a system that will work for your needs.
If you have other questions about watching your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning in Lodi is prepared to guide you. Reach us at 209-257-3156 or schedule an appointment online.