Modern homes in the United States are equipped with features tailored to our personal comfort. From indoor plumbing and refrigerators to modern heating and air conditioning systems, the American household has never been more customizable or comfortable. Unfortunately, everything in today’s age has a cost with indoor climate control being no exception to the rule. Energy Star estimates that heating and cooling expenses can cost the average American family up to $1,000 each year. With over 301,123 heating and cooling professionals working across the 81,246 heating and cooling businesses in the U.S. there are plenty of professionals dedicated to saving homeowners money while maintaining ideal levels of comfort; here are three ways homeowners can help cut back on their energy spending.
Whole Home Efficiency
Chances are, your home is not properly optimized to decrease energy losses. Without proper insulation, homes can lose up to 30% of heating and cooling; experts recommend installing spray foam insulation for maximum effectiveness. Ensuring that your attic is well ventilated can also help to reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 10-12% in a typical home. Many homeowners have chosen to have their windows and doors replaced with energy efficient models that are designed to minimize energy losses. Many homeowners may also be surprised to hear how large of an impact one’s landscaping can have on heating and cooling costs. Properties that have a well-placed tree line to block winter winds can save big on their heating expenses while properties with a well-positioned tree to offer shade to a home can enjoy significantly diminished cooling costs.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Like any machine furnaces, air conditioners, and water heaters need to be properly maintained in order to get the most out of their service life. The biggest reason why most heating and air conditioning systems fail is due to improper installation and improper maintenance — is it paramount that your heating and cooling systems be installed by certified technicians and maintained according to regular inspections. Homeowners ought to change out the filters of their furnaces and air conditioners every two or three months as the particles caught in the filter can actually recirculate throughout one’s home. Clogged filters can decrease the efficiency of a unit by around 15% and shorten its service life. With proper maintenance, installation, and regular inspections, homeowners can guarantee that their heating and cooling systems are optimized to perform longer.
The Benefit of Professional Heating and Air Conditioning Service
Since the heating and cooling field is always evolving, it benefits to find a trusted heating and cooling technician to help you determine the ideal setup for your home. Having too large central heating and air conditioning systems can severely increase one’s energy costs; having a specifically sized system installed by a professional can help reduce energy costs by as much as 20%. Additionally, professional suggest that your heating and cooling systems be inspected twice per year: having your heating inspected once just before the winter months and your cooling inspected once before the summer months can help homeowners avoid costly and inconvenient repairs. If properly maintained, the average heating and cooling system has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Contact a local heating and cooling service in your area to schedule an inspection to ensure that your home isn’t losing energy and money.
