Keeping your home comfortable in the winter may seem pretty straightforward. However, there are a lot of mistakes you can make heating and cooling your home that will make your system less efficient than if it is operating at an optimal level. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common heating and cooling mistakes that will cost you. Learn how to save more while keeping your home comfortable all year long.
Neglecting Regular Maintenance on Your Furnace or Air Conditioner
Most homeowners’ major reason for high energy bills is that they neglect regular maintenance on their HVAC system. Keeping up with your furnace and air conditioner by scheduling routine maintenance can help you to avoid costly repairs down the road. It also helps to keep the system clean and free of problems that can lead to less efficient airflow and more. Even cleaning your home’s air filters regularly can make a big difference in the efficiency of your entire system.
Not Using a Programmable Thermostat
This is one of the best ways to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home and save money at the same time. Getting a programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature in your home based on specific times of day or days of the week. This pinpoint control is good for saving money because it allows you to set the temperature to heat or cool to your ideal temperature whenever you’re home. However, when you’re at work, you can program the thermostat to maintain a more efficient temperature while you’re away from home.
Setting Your Thermostat Too Hot or Too Cold
Another common problem is that people will set the thermostat too high for the system to keep up efficiently. This can be caused by a heating or cooling system that doesn’t efficiently heat and cool all the rooms it is meant to serve. It can also be due to not understanding that just a few degrees of difference can significantly impact your energy bills.
Heating and Cooling Rooms that Aren’t Being Used
Closing the vents or shutting off units that are heating and cooling rooms that you don’t use regularly is another big way to save money. If you have a sunroom that you spend hours in during the summer but never set foot in during the winter, be sure to close the vents so that you don’t waste money keeping that space comfortable for no reason. Additionally, only open the vents in your guest room when you’re expecting company.
Ignoring Strange Noises Coming from Your Heating and Cooling System
Listen for strange sounds, pay attention to unusual smells, or any other hints that your HVAC system is in need of a repair or not operating at full capacity. A common mistake that homeowners make is ignoring strange sounds coming from their system. Paying attention to unusual noises can make all the difference when it comes to making a quick and easy repair or needing to spend thousands on replacing a furnace or air condenser.
Opening Windows or Doors too Frequently
It’s nice to open the windows and enjoy the breeze on a beautiful day, but if you leave your HVAC system running while you have doors and windows open throughout the day, you’ll spend way more money. It’s important to turn off your furnace or air conditioning system if you’re going to have the doors or windows open for extended periods of time. Otherwise, you’re paying money to heat or cool your home and pumping the air straight out the window.
Is a Ductless System Right for You?
Whether you’re living in a modern condo or a historic home, switching your home’s heating and cooling to a ductless system is another excellent way to save money on your energy bills. See if a ductless system is right for your space when you call today and talk to a comfort specialist.
At New England Ductless, we will help you assess your home’s heating and cooling system to find the best solution for you. See how you can save money and get the comfort you deserve in your home when you get a quote from New England Ductless.