Stay Warm and Spend Less
About this time of year, homeowners start getting cranky about their bills again. The end of summer brings some reprieve as power bills decrease due to lower AC usage. However, during the fall, people must turn their furnaces on to take the edge off the cold, causing a corresponding rise in bills. By the time winter comes, the bills can be unmanageably high.
Luckily, there are easy ways to lower bills through the season and the winter. Homeowners can lower their bills by changing some habits and doing a little AC maintenance. Additionally, utilizing the technology in smart thermostats can help keep the home warm without costing too much.
Utilize Ceiling Fans Even in the Winter
Ceiling fans are invaluable in the summer. By introducing a refreshing draft into spaces, they can make an area feel cooler and drier. Most people don’t know that the same is true for winter. The direction of ceiling fans can be changed depending on the season.
During the summer, the downdraft from the AC speeds evaporation and has a cooling effect. This would be undesirable during the winter, so homeowners can change the direction so that the updraft mixes warm air that has pooled near the ceiling and pushes it gently down the outer edges of the room.
Lower bills result because the heat homeowners have already paid for is simply pushed back into the occupied spaces. Owners often lower the thermostat setting, allowing the system to run less and save money.
Change Dirty Air Filters
Airflow must be unimpeded for heaters to work effectively. As soon as obstructions are encountered in the HVAC system, airflow is reduced, resulting in an uncomfortable home and an overworked furnace.
Dirty air filters are the most common cause of airflow issues. As a filter removes particles from the air, it loses the ability to allow air to flow freely through the furnace. The back pressure caused by the dirty air filter makes the furnace run longer cycles, wasting power and natural gas.
By installing new air filters at the beginning of the cool season, homeowners can avoid the unnecessary expense. In most cases, AC filter replacement should be done every three months or more. One of the benefits of changing the air filters before the heating season is that a clean air filter can also reduce cold and flu symptoms common during the fall and winter.
Install a Smart Thermostat
The best way to reduce energy bills associated with the heater during the winter is to have the system run less. The main objection to this strategy is that the home will become cold. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to reduce the heater's runtime without anyone noticing, and smart thermostats can help recognize and take advantage of those opportunities.
A smart thermostat uses various methods to determine the movement patterns and comfort needs of families. When it determines no one is home, the thermostat will lower, requiring less run time from the unit. As people return home from work and school, the thermostat will automatically raise, keeping the home comfortable and lowering bills simultaneously.
About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating
Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating provides comprehensive HVAC service, including furnace repairs and air duct cleaning. They offer free quotes and payment plans to reduce the financial cost of repairs and furnace upgrades. Call today for HVAC service in Corpus Christi, TX.
