Common HVAC Problems: Save on Dallas Electric Bills with Home Improvement

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

You rely on your HVAC heating and cooling systems to keep you and your family comfortable. When the air conditioner or furnace quits working, you notice. Coming home to a freezing home in winter or a stuffy house in summer indicates an obvious problem with the HVAC system. But sometimes, common HVAC problems are far more subtle. What happens when you let common HVAC problems go unnoticed? Well, these problems can cause a slow bleed to your bank account. When your HVAC system isn't working correctly, your electric bills will start going up. Learn how home improvement, cleaning your HVAC along with fixing common issues can lower your electric bills. 

Who Are The Most Likely Culprits Causing Your Electric Bill To Go Up?

Unfortunately, there's no way around paying an electric bill. Using air conditioning in the summer months and heating your home during the winter can cause significant electrical use at certain times throughout the year. If you open this month's electric bill and find that it's far more than you're used to owing, then there might be something else going on. You'll want to identify what's causing the electric bill to go up and fix it. Fortunately, there are a lot of things that everyday Jane and Joe homeowner can do to fix common HVAC problems and lower their electric bill. But first, what are the most common reasons for sky-high electric bills? 

• Energy vampires
• Leaving the lights and appliances on when they aren't needed 
• Using large appliances 
• Forgoing necessary home maintenance and home improvement
• Forgetting to service the AC or heating units

Fixing common HVAC problems with the AC and heating units is one of the most effective ways to significantly lower your electric bills. Home maintenance and home improvement can make your home more energy-efficient, too. 

Home Improvement and Maintenance to Lower Your Dallas Electric Bills

Every home can benefit from home improvement and maintenance when it comes to increasing energy efficiency. For older homes, especially, home improvement is critical. Newer builds are constructed with more energy-efficient materials. As homes age, window frames and door frames can sag and floors can slope. This natural wear and tear of the home can make it less airtight, and more prone to drafts. A drafty house will make your HVAC system work harder and less effectively. The result? A higher electric bill. The good news is, there's a lot that homeowners can do to maintain the property and make it more energy-efficient. 

• Seal windows and doors to cut down on drafts with caulking
• Add weather stripping to the door thresholds to keep cool or warm air inside
• Install window blinds or blackout curtains 
• Replace inefficient light bulbs with newer efficient models
• Maintain and improve AC units

How HVAC Maintenance Fixes Common Problems

The HVAC system can be a major energy hog if it's not maintained correctly. You'll want to change your AC and furnace filters every three to nine months, depending on how often and how heavily you use the units. A general rule of thumb is to change them out every six months. Old, clogged filters will cause the HVAC system to run inefficiently. Luckily, this is a pretty easy and affordable fix! 

You should also make sure the AC and heating vents are free of dust and debris buildup. Any obstructions will cause issues with the unit's efficiency, and your electric bills will increase. If there are any issues with the system's components, this can also make the unit hog electricity. This is why scheduling professional tune-ups and maintenance for your HVAC units is critical. A technician can uncover HVAC problems and fix them before they turn into a serious issue and become too costly for you to repair. 

HVAC Operation for Lowering Your Dallas Electric Bills

How you operate the HVAC system will also impact how much you pay for electricity each month. Although it's really a matter of personal comfort, many HVAC systems have an ideal temperature range for maximum efficiency. How do you find out what that range is? Consult the owner's manual or ask an experienced HVAC technician. It's also a good idea to avoid wild swings where you set the temperature. Extreme fluctuations can cause the system to work harder and less efficiently. Also, putting a strain on the system can shorten the lifespan of your AC or furnace. 

How the Thermostat Impacts the HVAC System

The thermostat plays a significant role in how well the HVAC system operates. Try to set the thermostat to the coldest temperature you can tolerate during the winter. On hot summer days, set the thermostat to the highest temperature you find comfortable. Not only will this lower your energy consumption, but it will also extend the lifespan of your HVAC system. It won't be working as hard to maintain indoor temperatures when the weather outside is extreme. Although this may seem insignificant, the impact it will have on your electric bills is substantial. By doing this, you can save 5 to 15% on your electricity bill every year. 

Do you have room in your budget to install a programmable thermostat? Doing so can save you even more money on your electric bills. Old thermostats can also have worn out components that can make them less accurate and, therefore, less efficient. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the HVAC system to a certain temperature when nobody is home. Lowering the amount of heating or cooling you need when the house is empty will lower your energy bills, and also extend the lifespan of your unit. 

Our HVAC Maintenance and Problems Bottom Line

Homeowners can do many things to maintain their HVAC and uncover common problems themselves. Regular, routine maintenance of the HVAC unit not only lowers your energy bills but can also save you money in other ways. 

At SERVPRO North Irving, we can perform an air duct cleaning or HVAC cleaning service in your home to address any indoor air quality concerns and detect any possible HVAC problems. If you uncover a common problem early, fixing it is typically less expensive than if it had gone unnoticed for months or years. A well-maintained HVAC system will also last longer, which saves you money in the long run. Keep these HVAC and home improvement tips in mind to keep more money in your wallet!