Throughout the coldest and hottest days in Williamsport, your heating and cooling system is an essential ally in keeping your home comfortable. On the other hand, it’s also your worst enemy when trying to decrease your energy consumption. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your HVAC system could account for nearly half of your energy usage.
That big draw of energy makes your HVAC unit an ideal place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility costs, there are plenty of ways—big and small—to manage 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 capture a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and block them from polluting your space. However, when your filters become dirty, it isn’t just your air quality that is affected. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty filter can reduce air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Switching out your air filter consistently keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every month. Remember, filters might need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is around dusty conditions, or you have pets inside. Contact Lycoming Heating Company to find out what frequency of filter change is appropriate for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to run as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. Once it is spring, have an HVAC expert inspect 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 cooler weather sets in later. Regular maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to operate exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Lycoming Heating Company professionals are qualified to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as stress-free as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or away. 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 extreme measures all the time. 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 away from the home.
You could make these adjustments on your own each day, but a programmable thermostat helps the process. These thermostats allow you to determine a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically adjusts the temperature in your home to reach that goal. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, often allowing you to set the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Chat with Lycoming Heating Company to see if either of these options are a good fit for you.
Review Your Equipment
Old HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill during the year. Whether they’re no longer working efficiently, are the inappropriate size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems provide, 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, Lycoming Heating Company is here to help. We’ll help you get to know different efficiency ratings and select a system that will work for your needs.
If you have more questions about managing your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at Lycoming Heating Company in Williamsport is prepared to guide you. Contact us at 570-326-4450 or schedule an appointment online.