When it comes to utility bills, all home and business owners agree that it’s best to take a cost-efficient approach. However, it’s easy to fall victim to certain HVAC habits that can make your energy expenses skyrocket.
Looking for more cost-friendly ways to heat and cool your space? At ACS, we offer exclusive industry insight and premium residential and commercial HVAC maintenance to optimize your comfort and costs. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most common HVAC mistakes that increase your utility bills.
1) Setting the Thermostat Too Low
There’s no better feeling than coming home to a cool, comfortable space. However, once you adjust to the temperature, you may set the thermostat even lower to heighten its cooling effect. Though you may think a slight decrease in temperature is harmless, this could increase your energy bills .
Most AC systems are designed to operate in a specific temperature range, as units often keep your space about 20 degrees cooler than the outside climate. For example, your AC can keep your home at about 70 degrees in 90-degree weather. If you set your thermostat below this threshold, your system will have to work harder to cool your space, resulting in higher energy expenses.
2) Keeping Windows Open
When it’s nice outside, your first instinct may be to crack open a window and enjoy the breeze. While this is nice to do every once in a while, you shouldn’t make it an everyday habit. Open doors and windows are a common culprit of increased utility bills, as intruding outdoor air can kickstart your HVAC system into overdrive.
Keeping windows open invites humidity inside your home and allows cool air to escape. Your AC system works throughout the day to maintain your indoor air quality. But if outside air enters your space, your system must work harder to restore your set temperature. If you choose to frequently open windows or doors, make sure to turn off your HVAC system so that your energy bills don’t go through the roof.
3) Closing Vents in Empty Rooms
While closing your air vents in empty rooms seems smart in theory, this habit is detrimental to your energy efficiency. When you shut vents in certain places, your air ducts experience excess pressure. This destructive force causes your blower to exude more energy and puts unnecessary stress on your HVAC system.
Closing air vents also unevenly distributes comfort throughout your space, as some rooms may become too hot or cold. Our rule of thumb is to leave vents and interior doors open to foster even air pressure throughout your home and keep energy bills consistent.
4) Forgetting to Replace Air Filters
If you’re noticing an increase in energy costs, consider the last time you cleaned or changed your air filter. When you neglect your air filter, dust, dirt, and other debris can quickly build up and affect your indoor air quality and airflow. As a result, your system will have to work harder to circulate air throughout your space, consequently spiking your utility expenses
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that routinely replacing your air filter can lower your energy consumption by 5-15%. We recommend swapping our air filter every 30-60 days to keep your energy expenses low and stable.
5) Neglecting Routine Maintenance
At ACS, we believe that routine HVAC maintenance and lower energy bills go hand in hand. By scheduling frequent tune-ups with your local air specialists, you can take care of any minor fixes that have the potential to evolve into major problems. If these issues go undetected, they will indefinitely evolve and cause your utility costs to skyrocket. Not to mention that significant system breakdowns will also take a toll on your wallet.
We recommend annual maintenance visits to ensure your HVAC equipment performs its best. Our experienced technicians will inspect, clean, and service your residential or commercial HVAC unit to ensure it’s well-equipped to heat or cool your space worry-free!
At ACS, we are committed to helping you get the most out of your heating and cooling systems without breaking the bank. From monitoring air filters to scheduling annual tune-ups, there are many ways to sustain your HVAC system’s performance so that your bills stay consistent. Contact our team today for premium HVAC maintenance in Covington, Milledgeville, and surrounding areas.
