Maintenance Scheduling
Schedule a maintenance service call before the heating or cooling seasons begin. Therefore, addressing any problems before the hot or cold seasons begin. In addition, research shows that keeping your system clean and running effectively can save you over 20% on your heating and cooling costs. We recommend investing in a preventative maintenance or service agreement and we’ll call you to schedule the checkups!
Filters
Check your systems filters every month and replace when dirt or dust is visible. Regularly replacing air filters (about every 3 months) can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 – 15%. Running units with dirty filters wastes energy, aggravates allergies and medical conditions such as asthma, and could even damage your equipment.
Thermostats
Set your thermostat as high as possible in the summer and as low as possible in the winter. We recommend 78 degrees in summer and 70 in winter. Every degree change can affect your electric or gas consumption by as much as 5%. If you have a mercury thermostat consider replacing it with a newer electronic version. New electronic thermostats maintain a more constant temperature and cut down on system short cycling. Also, a programmable thermostat allows you to set temperatures for periods of time when you aren’t home. Therefore saving you up to $180 per year!
Draw the Shades
On average, 40% of heat enters through your windows. On the sunny side of your house, keep shades closed. Shades and blinds that are light colored work best because they reflect light and heat rather than absorb it. Consider window coverings or films, which are applied to the interior surface of windows to keep heat out.
Vents and Registers
Always keep your registers or vents open and unobstructed. Closing more than 20% of the registers can cause increased air resistance in your ductwork. This can lead to higher humidity levels and temperatures. It can also cause your air conditioner to freeze up in the summer and build up heat in your furnace or heat pump.
Cleaning
Keep the areas around your air conditioner and furnace clear and clean. Grass, weeds, and shrubs should be planted away from outdoor units, to prevent growth onto the units. Also, never store flammable materials near your furnace.
Fans
Fans circulate air and can make you feel up to 6 degrees cooler by evaporating moisture from your skin. When using fans, be sure to adjust your thermostat accordingly to save money. Ceiling fans should be reversed and set at their lowest setting during the winter in order to gently push warm air down from the ceiling. Do not run kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans longer than necessary. Do not set the fan switch to ON during the cooling season. This will increase humidity levels in your home.
Power Outage
If you experience a power outage, turn off your heat or air conditioning system immediately. Wait until power has been fully restored before turning the system back on.
Older Systems
If your heating and cooling system is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider replacing it. A new high efficient system can not only save money, it can keep you more comfortable and leaves less of an impact on the environment.
Fix Leaky Ducts
Seal seams and connections of air ducts with a duct sealant (called “mastic”) or metal-backed foil tape; avoid gray cloth duct tape, which doesn’t last. You can save 10 – 20% annually by sealing ductwork.
