Throughout the coldest and hottest days in Los Angeles, your heating and cooling system is an important ally in keeping your home comfortable. On the other hand, it’s also your worst enemy when trying to reduce 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 good place to start improving your energy habits. Whether you’re looking to decrease your carbon footprint or want to lower your energy bill, there are many ways—big and small—to manage how your heating and cooling system expends energy.
Replace Your Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system are vital to upholding your home’s air quality. They help capture a variety of debris—including dust, dirt and other small particles—and stop them from polluting your home. 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 decrease air conditioner efficiency by up to 15 percent. Switching out your air filter routinely keeps your system from using an excessive amount of energy. Replace one-inch pleated filters every 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. Call AZ Air Conditioning and Heating to find out what frequency of filter change is correct for your system.
Schedule Regular HVAC Service
If you want your HVAC system to operate as efficiently as possible, routine maintenance is key. While it’s spring, have an HVAC professional inspect 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 winter weather sets in later. Regular maintenance makes sure your equipment is ready to operate exactly as it was planned to—with peak efficiency. AZ Air Conditioning and Heating experts are trained to help your system get back on track.
Switch Out Your Thermostat
Reducing those energy costs can be as stress-free as adjusting the temperature in your home while you’re asleep or away. The closer the temp in your house is to the conditions outside, the lower your energy bill can be. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to take drastic measures each day. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering or raising (depending on the season) your temperature by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or gone.
You could make these adjustments yourself each day, but a programmable thermostat streamlines the process. These thermostats allow you to determine a schedule for your HVAC system and automatically controls the temperature in your home to meet that temp. A smart thermostat takes your control a step further, usually allowing you to adjust the temperature wirelessly from almost anywhere. Talk with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating to see if either of these options would be beneficial for your home.
Review Your Equipment
Older HVAC equipment can be a drain on your energy bill each month. Whether they’re no longer operating efficiently, are the incorrect size for your home or lack the energy efficiency new systems offer, there’s a likelihood your system is costing you extra money if it’s more than 10 years old.
When you’ve decided it’s time to look for a replacement system, AZ Air Conditioning and Heating can give give you a hand. We’ll help you understand different efficiency ratings and select a system that will work for your needs.
If you have additional questions about watching your energy costs, need to arrange maintenance or want to discuss new system choices, the team at AZ Air Conditioning and Heating in Los Angeles is all set to guide you. Contact us at 800-296-5088 or schedule an appointment online.