During the coldest and hottest weeks in Rapid City, your heating and cooling system is an important ally in keeping your home comfortable. However, 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 be the culprit behind nearly half of your energy usage.
That large draw of energy makes your HVAC unit a perfect place to start adjusting your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to shrink your carbon footprint or want to lower your utility bill, there are many ways—big and small—to direct how your heating and cooling system expends energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are important to maintaining your home’s air quality. They help catch a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and stop them from polluting your house. However, more than just your air quality suffers when your filters are full of debris. 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 unnecessary amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters once a month. Remember, filters may need more frequent attention if your HVAC system is in constant use, is around dusty conditions, or you have pets in the house. Reach out to Precision Mechanical to find out what frequency of filter change is appropriate for your system.
Schedule Timely HVAC Service
If you expect your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is significant. While it’s spring, have an HVAC technician 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 cold weather sets in later. Routine maintenance ensures your equipment is ready to operate exactly as it was supposed to—with peak efficiency. Precision Mechanical technicians are well-equipped to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as easy as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or not at home. The closer your home’s temperature is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take crazy measures every day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or upping (depending on the season) your temperature by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or not at the house.
You could make these adjustments on your own each day, but a programmable thermostat helps the process. These thermostats allow you to select a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically adjusts the temperature in your home to match it. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, often allowing you to monitor the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Consult with Precision Mechanical to see if either of these options will work for you.
Upgrade Your Equipment
Older HVAC equipment can be a burden on your energy bill each month. Whether they’re no longer working efficiently, are the wrong size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, there’s a good chance your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to look for a replacement system, Precision Mechanical can give give you a hand. We’ll help you get to know different efficiency ratings and pick a system that will work for your needs.
If you have additional questions about managing your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system selections, the team at Precision Mechanical in Rapid City is all set to guide you. Call us at 605-206-3766 or schedule an appointment online.