Lowering Energy Bills With Hvac Maintenance

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There are many ways to cut back on your monthly energy bills, but none makes more sense than proper maintenance of your equipment. Proper care of your HVAC system basically accomplishes two goals in one. Your property will last longer, and you will spend less money each month. As one of the largest systems in the home, your heating and cooling costs normally make up at least half of your energy bill, making it worthy of top notch routine maintenance.

Routine maintenance will keep potential problems at bay. It will also keep down your energy costs. Your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system requires yearly care if it’s expected to run efficiently and keep your home feeling comfortable without any problems. A seasoned contractor should make preseason check-ups each year. When scheduling your appointment, remember that the need for HVAC contractors peak in the summer and fall, so routine maintenance should be booked in the spring or fall for more prompt service.

When your HVAC contractor shows up for routine maintenance, there are a few things that he or should always check. First ...
... of all, the thermostat settings need to be checked properly. Without a working thermostat, your system will not be able to properly keep your home comfortable. A working thermostat will also maintain the correct temperature, helping to keep down your heating and cooling costs.

During routine maintenance, the contractor should also tighten the electrical connections in the system, as well as ensure that the proper voltage is flowing in the motors. Without this system check, bad connections are bound to occur, creating an unsafe environment and shortening the length of time your unit will work. System controls should be checked over, as well. A complete inspection of the condensate drain is required. The contractor should also lubricate all parts so that friction is lessened. If friction occurs, your system will require more energy to operate.

There are certain check points that only apply to specific functions. For example, heating components that are not properly taken care of can become fire hazards or cause other potential health dangers. On top of that, any problems that are not rooted out and corrected will ruin the efficiency of your system, ensuring higher energy bills each month until the problem is rectified. In order to stop these issues from occurring, your contractor will overlook all the heater’s connections, burners, and heat exchangers.

Your cooling system is not immune from problems, either. In fact, it has a few more necessary check points for your HVAC contractor to look over. All blower components need to be checked to ensure that the proper air is flowing. Problematic airflows can lead to a 15 percent reduction in efficiency. The evaporator and conditioning coils also need attention. They should be thoroughly cleaned because a dirty coil hinders your systems cooling capabilities. In order to compensate for the lack of cooling ability, the unit will work longer and harder, adding to your energy costs. Refrigerant levels should be maintained, as well. Too much is as bad on the system as too little, and both reduce efficiency levels.

There is one thing you can do yourself to help increase your unit’s efficiency. Replace your filters monthly.