As the holiday season flies by, the thought of resolutions can be so easily swept away in the bustle of the New Year. Next thing you know you’re back to work and life – without having taken the time to reflect on what you’d like to accomplish. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to reevaluate and take inventory. It can be healthy for you, for your family, and even your business. Another place it can make a difference is in your home. One of the most common resolutions is to improve health, and your home’s systems, including your HVAC unit, definitely need attention and care in order to provide you the most comfort. The benefit of taking good care of your equipment is that proper maintenance will reward you with better performance.
The professionals at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric have put together 3 energy saving tips for the New Year:
- Change your air filter
While it may seem like a simple step to take, keeping your air filter changed out regularly is highly beneficial to your HVAC system. Having the proper amount of airflow saves your equipment a lot of strain and keeps the air your system circulates cleaner. It is recommended you change your air filter out monthly (in the busy seasons), but if you are unsure, check it once a month. If it’s clogged with dust, then it’s definitely time to change out.
- Search for leakage
If your home is older, chances are there have been shifts in the boards and insulation has settled in the walls, letting air leak out to the outside. Windows that are older or one-pane tend to hold in cool air less efficiently. Also, for balmy Florida homes, having adequate attic insulation is essential for keeping hot air from seeping into the home and making your air conditioner work harder. Any leakage will result in a more expensive HVAC bill as your system fights the conditions to maintain comfortable temperatures.
For a professional touch on this issue, you can schedule a home energy audit. This service, provided by licensed experts with special equipment, will provide you a detailed list of where your home’s weak points are so that you can repair them. We can understand if you don’t want to spend the extra cash right away. You can do an abbreviated version of an inspection by closing all windows, doors and skylights and passing a candle or incense stick a few inches away from any place that may have openings: windows, the corners of ceilings, and doorways. The candle blowing towards you from the openings indicate there are drafts coming through. You can also inspect these areas by sight to make sure there are no obvious cracks that expose the inside to the elements.
For minor cracks that are leaking air, you can seal them cheaply with expanding foam, weather stripping, or caulk. If you are freezing in one room but roasting in another, there is likely a lack of insulation to blame for the temperature fluctuations. Look into having a professional assess your home if you feel there isn’t adequate insulation.
- Schedule annual maintenance.
Having your cooling and heating unit serviced annually is one of the best actions you can take to keeping your home comfortable while saving on energy. Your HVAC unit puts in a lot of work throughout the year, putting it through a lot of strain. Eventually, parts wear down and your unit’s efficiency suffers for it. Your expert technician has the know-how to clean out and replace every part of your system so that it is running as smoothly as possible. With your HVAC system back in tip-top shape, you can count on it to run at maximum efficiency with reliability.
To schedule maintenance or for other HVAC concerns and questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the HVAC professionals at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric! Our team is bonded, licensed, and insured, and each technician is background checked and drug tested for your peace of mind so that you can trust us in your home. Call us at (813) 530-9061 from 7AM to 11PM any day of the week to get started. From us at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric to you, have a safe and happy holiday!
