How to Keep Your HVAC Bills Under Control

I know energy prices have been increasing, but if your HVAC bills have spiraled out of control in recent months, there may be more to it than that. It could be that you have some bad practices in terms of your usage, or it could be that the condition of your HVAC system has deteriorated. As experienced professionals offering furnace cleaning services in Arvada for more than forty years, we’ve seen this happen many times.

Whatever the problem is, we’re going to help you take back control of your HVAC bills by providing you with a number of actionable tips in this article.

Five Tips to Help You Lower Your HVAC Bills

It’s likely that not all of these tips will apply to your circumstances, but if you implement the ones that do, we guarantee that you’ll pay less on your HVAC bills in the coming months.

Have Your Furnace Professionally Cleaned

As we head into winter your furnace is going to have a lot more demand placed on it. If it hasn’t been cleaned in a while, lots of the components are going to be clogged up with dirt and unable to function at their best.

A professional furnace cleaning can make the world of difference, bringing these components back to a condition that enables them to function efficiently. Increased efficiency means that your furnace doesn't have to work as hard to produce the same output, so you save money.

Look For Gaps Around Windows and Doors

Your home’s insulation plays a big part in how hard your HVAC system has to work to heat and cool your home. A well-insulated home will retain heat energy and prevent cold drafts from getting inside. A poorly insulated home will have the opposite effect, meaning there’s just this constant cycle of your HVAC unit producing hot or cold air, and it being lost.

The biggest weakness in a home’s insulation is usually found around the windows and doors. These are prime places for little gaps and cracks to open up over time, especially if you have wooden windows (which are well known for warping). Fortunately, this is an issue that is fairly easy to remedy. You just need to buy some weather stripping and some caulk and apply it to those areas to improve the insulation and take the pressure off your HVAC unit.

When Was the Last Time You Changed the Filter?

The air filters in HVAC units aren’t permanent. Over time, with the dirt and dust that they filter out of the air, they become clogged and unable to do their job properly. This puts extra strain on your HVAC unit as it struggles to pull in the air that it needs. And you should know by now that any time you make your HVAC unit work harder, your energy bills increase.

Exactly how often should you be changing your air filter? Well, that’ll depend largely on what type of filter it is. If it’s a fiberglass filter, these need changing every thirty days or so. If you have a pleated filter, these last a bit longer and need to be changed every 60-90 days. So ask yourself, when was the last time the air filter was changed? If the answer is “I don’t know” or it’s longer than the timeframes mentioned above, check on its condition. If it’s absolutely clogged up, swap it out for a new one. You should see an immediate upswing in efficiency and lower bills as a result.

Book a Comprehensive Air Duct Cleaning

Over time, all manner of dirt and dust can build up inside your air ducts and they become less and less efficient at delivering the hot and cold air that’s produced by your HVAC unit (not to mention the impact on air quality this has). The problem is, these ducts are extremely hard to clean for the average homeowner.

That’s why it’s advisable to have a professional air duct cleaning periodically, as companies offering this service have the equipment necessary to clean the duct effectively. They’ll also look for other things that could be making your system less effective, such as kinks in the ducts and holes.

Are Your Air Vents Blocked Up

You just got a new armchair and thought it’d look perfect in that far corner of the room. Unfortunately, what you didn’t think about is the fact that the air vent is located in that corner of the room.

This scenario is more common than you think. People place furniture in front of air vents and this blocks the circulation of the hot and cold air produced by your HVAC unit. As this air doesn’t circulate nearly as well, you don’t feel its effects and have your system running for longer, which increases your energy spend.

You should go into each room in your property, checking where the air vents are and making sure that there’s nothing placed directly in front of them. If there is, consider rearranging your furniture.

Rising Costs Can Be Brought Back Under Control

Many people look at their energy costs and think it's out of their control. But the truth is, there's a lot you can do to bring them down. Furnace cleaning and air duct cleaning can play a big role in improving system efficiency. If you’re in Arvada and need help taming spiraling costs, call our service team at (720) 419-7792.