Most homeowners, in this energy conscious era, make a concerted effort to reduce their energy consumption when operating their HVAC system and/or furnace. This may be for environmental reasons by lowering emissions, it could be to conserve our natural resources, or it may be that you just want to save money. Whatever the reasons may be, everyone likes to save money. Unfortunately, there are three persistent energy myths that cause Americans to throw money away every day.
1. Efficiency is Everything
This may seem like a strange place to start as so many people use efficiency as a buzzword to explain how to fix everything. Many people believe that installing a high efficiency furnace or HVAC will magically lower their household energy bills. This is not the case, as a person could have the most efficient system possible and any benefits may be nullified if it is not operated correctly. Another issue is that many homeowners don’t maintain their system regularly which causes the system to operate at a lower level of efficiency. Finally, if an efficient air conditioning system is installed in a home that is not energy efficient it will be far less effective. If you feel that your furnace or HVAC system is not performing as expected, get a professional technician out to perform a comprehensive energy audit. This will show you how efficient your home really is; it may be necessary to install some upgrades, but an investment here will yield a nice financial return from a reduction in energy bills.
2. Riding the Thermostat
It is a common fallacy that turning the thermostat down or up, cools and heats the home much faster. In fact, the exact opposite is true, and the only thing that is altered is the amount of money in your bank account. Turning the thermostat rapidly will increase the household energy bills if the thermostat is left cranked up or down. The equipment in your home will not work any faster or harder because the thermostat has been rapidly altered. If you would like your home to be cool or warm when you come home or get up in the morning, it would be a better idea to get a WiFi or programmable thermostat. That way your home can heat and cool gradually which will reduce your energy costs.
3. Energy Efficient HVAC Systems are Expensive
Many people are under the impression that a modern matched high efficiency HVAC system is expensive. Actually, it is possible to carry out a few modest efficiency upgrades for a modest cost. It may well be the case that your existing system is poorly matched to the size of your home. It could be possible to downgrade to a smaller system that is both cheaper to run and more efficient. Modern HVAC systems can deliver better performance in a smaller package and offer a higher level of comfort. The initial outlay could be recouped in lower energy bills, but the quality of air will be also improved making your home a much nicer place to be.
For more information, contact Around The Clock Heating and Air Conditioning.