How Routine HVAC Service Helps You Save On Energy Bills

In the High Desert, we’re all familiar with the sizzling summers that give way to freezing cold winters. 

This often translates to a simple equation: higher/lower temperatures + higher HVAC energy usage = higher energy bills. 

One way to cut back on high energy consumption is to keep your HVAC system in the best condition possible so it can handle the energy overload during high-impact seasons. 

Here’s why routine HVAC maintenance is so important, and how to save money on energy bills during this upcoming summer: 

KEEP UP WITH THE (HIGH-ENERGY) TIMES 

With regular HVAC maintenance, your HVAC system will be able to keep up with the energy demands of a high-impact season. Simply put, it will take less energy to maintain a comfortable home temperature, no matter how hot it gets outside. 

Less energy consumption by your HVAC system means less energy your power company can charge you for!

STAY ON TOP OF HVAC ISSUES

It helps to think of your HVAC system as being similar to your car. Your average vehicle requires routine maintenance to keep its engine, transmission, and electrical systems in good shape. 

Regular maintenance makes sure everything is working properly in your system. It also helps you stay on top of any issues as soon as they come up, rather than letting them become major problems down the road.

PROLONG THE LIFE OF YOUR HVAC UNIT

A regularly maintained vehicle can last several years, sometimes even decades if well taken care of. 

Again, your HVAC unit is very similar. By regularly scheduling maintenance, especially right before the summer and winter seasons, you steadily prolong the life of your HVAC unit year after year. 

The average HVAC unit can last anywhere from 10 years to up to 25 years if regularly maintained. See the difference? All it takes are regular HVAC service appointments, just like you take your car for an oil change every few months. 

What are other ways homeowners can cut back on energy consumption? Here are some tips on how to lower the strain on your wallet during high-usage seasons:

CONSIDER A SMART THERMOSTAT

There’s a reason most energy companies recommend keeping your thermostat at around 78 degrees. This temperature is ideal for energy consumption, while still keeping your home comfortable. 

Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy to keep your home comfortable while saving money on energy costs. 

You can easily program your thermostat to turn off heat or air conditioning once your home reaches a certain temperature, reducing the energy your HVAC system uses.

UPDATE YOUR DUCT WORK

Your HVAC system is only part of the equation when it comes to keeping home temperatures comfortable. 

You could have the newest, most energy efficient HVAC system out there, but if your ductwork isn’t up to par, your HVAC system will still have to work harder to keep up with rising temperatures. 

Ductwork that is too small, badly installed, or heavily clogged with dirt and debris will cause your HVAC system to have to work harder to keep pumping cool air inside. Make sure your ductwork is properly insulated and there are no broken ducts. 

This is also where your trusty air filter comes into play. Make sure you regularly clean your air filter and replace them as needed. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATINGS

It’s normal for energy bills to spike during high-impact seasons, as your HVAC works harder to maintain your home temperature. 

However, you can reduce this strain by learning more about energy efficiency ratings. 

There are several ratings you can keep an eye on, such as: 

• AFUE — this stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which is the percentage of fuel your heating system converts into heat. The higher your AFUE percentage, the more efficient your heating system is.
• EER — the Energy Efficient Ratio measures how efficiently your system uses energy to cool a space. EER ratings usually only measure energy efficiency using one temperature.
• SEER — the Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio also measures how much energy is used to cool a space, but SEER ratings measure energy efficiency during different temperatures.

You can usually find these ratings whenever you shop for a new HVAC appliance. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient your appliance will be. 

However, most of us can’t just simply replace our current HVAC unit for a more energy efficient model as soon as we find one. In that case, regular HVAC maintenance is a must to prolong the life of your unit. 

Cool Image Heating and Air Conditioning is the team to trust when it comes to any HVAC issues. We can make sure your system stays efficient for years while not compromising on comfort, no matter what the weather is like outside.

Schedule your service today by using our booking tool online.