Keeping your energy costs down during the cooling season in the Fort Wayne area could be as easy as keeping your air conditioner clean and well maintained. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that half of your energy bill goes toward cooling and heating your home. The federal agency also reports that a regular tune-up can cut operating costs by as much as 25 percent.
These steps will increase the longevity of your cooling system and trim your operating costs:
- Keep the air filter for the blower clean. When dust builds on the filter, it slows the passage of air, which makes the system run longer, driving up bills and increasing wear on the whole system. Check the air filter monthly, perhaps on the same day that you get your electric bill. If the filter looks dirty, change it.
- For your A/C or heat pump, maintain the outdoor condenser by hosing off the fins and coils periodically and making sure that nothing blocks airflow through the condenser. The heated refrigerant from your home flows through the coils, and the process goes faster when nothing obstructs airflow. Reminding household members not to place anything near or on top of the condensing unit also will help reduce energy costs.
- Have your air conditioner, heat pump or furnace professionally serviced once a year. The HVAC technicians go through your entire system, cleaning and adjusting its components. They use gauges to test the refrigerant level. If they find low pressure, they'll remedy the problem and refill your system. The technicians also will measure airflow through the blower and check ductwork for leaks. Leaking ducts can drive your energy bills up substantially and lower indoor air quality. The gaps or leaks should be sealed with metal tape or mastic.
- Consider replacing your HVAC equipment with an Energy Star-certified high-efficiency system when mechanical issues arise that would cost more to fix than the system is worth.
If you would like to learn more about lowering energy costs, please contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We've provided top-notch HVAC services for the Fort Wayne area since 1963.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about lowering energy costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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