5 HVAC Habits That Lead to Higher Bills

Your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system can rack up a considerable bill month after month if it is not energy-efficient. Energy-efficiency of the HVAC depends not only on the maintenance and operation of the equipment but also on your habits as a homeowner. Poor HVAC usage habits can cause a deterioration of the system sooner, diminishing its life. It can also affect its energy-efficiency, leading to higher bills.

On average, single-family American homes typically spend $2,060 every year on energy bills. By considering and improving on the five habits listed below, you may become the few who enjoy the same degree of comfort at a lower annual cost. Our reputable HVAC contractors in Greenville, SC are here to help if you have any question or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. 

Careless Towards Changing Filters

The HVAC filter is one of the most important components of the system. It is through this filter that the air at your home passes. Over time, the filter becomes clogged with dirt and debris. If it is not changed on time, a dirty filter does a poor job at a heating or cooling the air. This forces the HVAC to exert more, leading to higher energy consumption and bills.

On average, HVAC filters need to be changed every 30 days. If you delay this, it brings HVAC performance to a level below optimum. This is one of the poor HVAC habits you can change to see savings on energy bills.

Delayed or Missed Seasonal Tune-Up

Like any piece of machinery, your HVAC system needs a regular tune-up. For most households, one or two tune-ups every year are enough to keep the HVAC in good shape. If your HVAC usage is more intensive, you may need a maintenance service more often.

Many homeowners tend to overlook this. If the seasonal tune-up is delayed or missed altogether, your HVAC’s energy efficiency is affected. To ensure this bad habit doesn’t affect your HVAC’s performance, you can create reminders for the two annual tune-ups that your HVAC needs.

Not using a thermostat properly

The thermostat is a very important component of your HVAC. Its importance is often overlooked by most homeowners. When the thermostat is used right, it can ensure that your HVAC is functioning optimally as per your needs. Smart thermostats, in particular, are useful in that they ensure the HVAC works only when you are at home and the temperature suits your needs at the time. With a good smart thermostat, you can see savings of up to $180 per year in energy costs.

If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, you may want to consider replacing the exact model with a new one.

Being careless about insulation

A well-insulated home ensures that heating in the winters and cooling in the summers does not escape through the walls, windows, and doors. By retaining heating and cooling effectively, insulation aids the HVAC to maintain the optimum indoor temperature at a lower cost of energy. Conversely, poor insulation lets heating or cooling escape, forcing HVAC to exert more to maintain the same temperature.

A good HVAC habit is to check your home’s insulation twice a year. This is particularly important if you are seeing a spike in your energy bills for no other obvious reason. 

Upgrade the Equipment on Time

Most HVAC components come with a defined shelf-life. For most systems, this is 20 years. However, the important thing to note here is that the energy efficiency of an HVAC system declines considerably once it passes the ten-year mark. For this reason, many homeowners choose to upgrade their HVAC every 10 to 15 years.

If you do not upgrade the HVAC equipment on time, this can lead to poor energy efficiency. Consequently, you should expect to see higher energy bills. You can resolve this by keeping an eye on the life and performance of the HVAC. When energy costs begin to outweigh the costs of getting a new system, it is time for an upgrade.

Hiring Professional HVAC Contractors in Greenville SC

If you live in Greenville, SC and want to hire the right professionals to handle HVAC service, maintenance, repair or upgrades, we have got you covered. Here at General Air, we take pride in being one of the most reliable and reputable HVAC contractors in Greenville, SC. Our experts have experience in handling HVAC systems of all types and sizes. Whether you want a routine tune-up, replacement of a faulty component or a full upgrade, you can reach out to us for advice, consultation, and hiring. Contact us today to hire our services or consult our experts.