It pays to be prepared. This goes for your job. It goes for your energy savings.
Just because the weather is warmer doesn’t mean there aren’t ways you can be trimming down your energy bill and keeping yourself in the green. When it starts to snow you’ll be wishing you invested in a little furnace repair. Today the average American household is paying far too much for their heating and cooling services due to lackluster appliances. Even worse? These run the risk of draining your monthly bill and failing on you when you need them most. Instead of leaving your comfort up to chance, consider taking the initiative and investing in a new furnace installation or heating and cooling repair service.
Getting ready now with furnace repair and HVAC services will save you time and money down the road.
The best way to prepare for the possibility of a failed appliance or high energy bill is to be aware of what you’re up against. The United States sees two-thirds of all homes having an air conditioning system in place. Furnaces and boilers are also common methods of heating the house during fall and winter. Although we all need a reliable energy system to keep us cool and warm, depending on the season, not all of us enjoy the benefits of regular savings. Common sources to blame include faulty heating and cooling systems, old appliances and a lack of ongoing maintenance.
Your table won’t last forever. Your car’s tires need to be replaced. When it comes to your furnaces, boilers and air conditioners? You need to keep a close eye on its lifespan to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. The average expected lifespan of your furnace is 20 years, provided it has been well-maintained over the years. An air conditioner shouldn’t go beyond 10 years, however, and any more than 12 is a sign you should start looking into replacements as soon as possible. A system that’s out-of-date is just going to end up draining you of more money than a new installation ever will.
Thankfully, furnace repair and air conditioner installation is an incredibly easy resource to come by. A professional can look over your system with a critical eye and determine what’s causing your bills to spike unexpectedly. The majority of HVAC system filters need to be changed every two to three months, according to studies by Energystar.gov, and duct leakage is an incredibly common source of lost dollars. It can sap anywhere from 20% to 40% of the energy out of even a well-operating system and leave you frustrated and wondering where you went wrong.
Likewise, your furnace can start showing signs of age if it’s not putting out the same energy it used to. Common warning signs include an unusually high energy bill, strange noises every time you turn your furnace on or strange smells. Improper equipment installation can decrease your home’s heating and cooling efficiency by 30% or more. A good rule-of-thumb to follow is giving your system an inspection twice a year, even if you don’t spot any problems. This will spot potential issues early and give you some peace-of-mind as you move about your year.
If you want to save as much money as possible, consider calling up leak repair after a furnace repair session. Today 10% of homes have leaks that waste as much as 90 gallons of water per day. Fixing these easily corrected water leaks can save you 10% or more on your monthly bills. When it comes to saving money preparation is the name of the day. It keeps you from dealing with no-heat emergency calls in the winter (extremely common, according to many HVAC professionals) and gives you something to look forward to at the end of every month.
Don’t roll the die. Let HVAC maintenance keep you in the clear.