From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Home HVAC–How to Keep Your Heating and Cooling System Energy Efficient

Energy prices are continuing to increase. Many are concerned about their heating and cooling costs. If you want to keep energy bills under control, the best place to start is with the thermostat.

Your Thermostat May Be Costing You Money

Your thermostat is one of the essential elements of your heating and cooling system. You need to protect it to make sure that you don’t get a false reading. For instance, if the thermostat is located next to a window, it may get interference from the sun. If it’s on an outside wall, it may get a draft, and the accuracy of its readings will be compromised. A programmable thermostat can help you increase and decrease the home’s temperatures when necessary. There’s no need to heat/cool a home when no one is around.

Has Your Unit Been Serviced This Year?

Another important factor in your HVAC system and its efficiency is maintenance. Your unit must have an annual precision tune-up and check-up each year. During these sessions, a certified technician will check the filters, top off fluids, and identifying any repair issues that can save you big time.

Did you know that a dirty filter is the number one reason for a system failure? Calling HomeSmart From Xcel Energy can give you an audit on your system’s performance and ensure that it’s running efficiently. Simple things, like cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils can have an enormous impact on your utility bill.

Many people use the “out of sight-out of mind” approach when it comes to HVAC service. However, if you didn’t change the oil on your car for months, or even years, how long would it continue to function? Not serving your unit is running it on borrowed time.

Replace Outdated Equipment

An HVAC unit will last anywhere from 10-15 years. Many factors go into this equation, such as if the unit has been maintained. Consequently, when a unit is beyond its projected life span, it’s no longer able to run as efficiently as it once did. If the unit in your home is more than 15 years old, you can benefit from a system that has a high SEER rating and updated technology. The older units just can’t perform as they once did.

Almost 40 percent of your home’s energy costs come from your heating and cooling system. It’s important to take some time and make sure your unit is running as efficiently as possible. Having those annual checks may seem costly and unnecessary, but preventing a mechanical failure is priceless.