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When people think of their HVAC system, their mind immediately begins to picture that large silver box in the yard with the fan on top. The reality is that creating comfort in your home relies on a number of interconnecting pieces that create a single cohesive unit. From the ductwork to the filtration to the quality of the windows in each room, there are so many variables that can dramatically affect the performance of your unit. It is important to evaluate each and every factor. If you are concerned that your utility bills are higher than they should be, here are a few simple things to check to make sure you are getting the most out of your HVAC system. Wall Leakage The most important thing in controlling heating and cooling costs is reducing the run time of the system. Simply put, the longer your air conditioner is on, the more power it is using. How often the system runs is entirely determined by how long the conditioned air remains near the thermostat. As the heated or cooled air dissipates, it tells the thermostat that the house needs more conditioning. Therefore, the longer you can keep the heat or cold inside, the less the unit needs to run. The easiest way to ensure heat or cold retention is to check your walls for leaks. This will most commonly occur around your windows. Windows are essentially giant holes in your walls sealed in with a frame. If the frame is not perfectly sized, there will be small gaps between the window frame and the wall itself. On a windy day, take some time to run your finger along the frame of every window in the house. If at any point you feel air moving along your finger, mark that spot with a pencil. Then, simply use a caulk gun to seal all the holes, and watch your HVAC runtime plummet. Quality Filtration Every particle of dust, every pet hair, every bit of pollen and dander has mass. Anything with mass affects the heating and cooling demands on your home. The more dust, pet hair, and pollen in your home, the more work your system has to do to create the proper temperature. Not only that, but when your filters are full, they limit the amount of air available to the unit. With restricted airflow, the air conditioner will have to work harder to condition the space, once again affecting your run time. There are a few solutions to this issue. The first is to simply dust and vacuum as often as you possibly can. Beyond that, you can use a simple one-inch thick filter and change it every month without fail, or every three weeks if you get the thicker allergen-free filters. The more permanent solution is to invest in an electronic air cleaner. They are a bit pricey up front, but an electronic air cleaner will trap more dust and allergens than any other filtration system and do it without needing to be checked constantly. Every few months simply rinse off the filter with a hose. You will be amazed at how much cleaner the house is and how much lower your utility bills have become. Livonia residents in need of HVAC services turn to D&G Heating & Cooling, Inc. Learn more at http://www.d-gheatingandcooling.com/contact-us.php.
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