How Can I Manage My Energy Costs?

January 24, 2019

Throughout the coldest and hottest moments in Tomball, 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 lower your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could make up nearly half of your energy usage.

That big draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start changing your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility costs, there are many ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system consumes energy.

Switch Out Your Air Filters

The air filters in your HVAC system are critical to keeping up your home’s air quality. They help catch a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and prevent them from polluting your house. However, dirty filters impact even more than the air quality. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can lower air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Changing out your air filter consistently keeps your system from using an unwarranted amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters once a month. Remember, filters could need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is around dusty conditions, or you have pets at your home. Reach out to Premium Air Services LLC to find out what frequency of filter change is correct for your system.

Schedule Routine HVAC Service

If you expect your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is a must. Once it is spring, have an HVAC professional assess 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 winter weather sets in later. Consistent maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to work exactly as it was intended to—with peak efficiency. Premium Air Services LLC experts are well-equipped to help your system get back on track.

Switch Out Your Thermostat

Reducing those energy costs can be as simple as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or gone. The closer the temp in your house is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take drastic measures each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or increasing (depending on the season) your temperature by easily resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or not at the house.

You could make these adjustments manually each day, but a programmable thermostat helps the process. These thermostats allow you to select a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically controls 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 Premium Air Services LLC to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.

Review Your Equipment

Out-of-date HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill each month. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the incorrect size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems have, there’s a possibility your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.

When you’ve decided it’s time to look for a replacement system, Premium Air Services LLC is here to help. We’ll help you get to know different efficiency ratings and pick a system that will work for your needs.

If you have other questions about monitoring your energy costs, need to schedule maintenance or want to discuss new system options, the team at Premium Air Services LLC in Tomball is all set to guide you. Call us at 713-364-9957 or schedule an appointment online.