Heating And AC Repair Questions: Why Do I Get Higher Energy Bills Every Month? | Dallas, TX
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To save money is one of the goals of a homeowner and one of the best ways to do this is to conserve energy at home. In this article, we’ll talk about the reasons why you have higher utility bills and what you can do to reduce them. If you need more assistance with your heating and cooling system, please contact a heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX.
Reasons you have higher bills:
Old HVAC Systems
Over time, your heating and cooling system will tend to lose its efficiency. It will work harder and consume more energy — this translates to higher energy bills every month. Most HVAC systems can last from 15 to 25 years, but the exact number depends on the maintenance performed and what type of system is installed in your home. If your HVAC system is more than 15 years old, we highly suggest that you contact a heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX, for an inspection. Our team can thoroughly inspect your unit and advise you on whether or not it’s best to keep it. To get the most of your system, please ensure it’s well maintained. Change the filters at least once a month and have the unit professionally serviced. HVAC tune-ups must be at least a month before winter and summer, to avoid sudden breakdowns and to ensure your system is in excellent shape.
Do you need an HVAC replacement today? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us to help you install a new unit. If you can’t decide what make and model to purchase, our team of licensed heating and AC technicians can help you make an informed decision on what system to acquire for your home.
Your Home Isn’t Well Insulated
In addition to inefficient systems, insulation is also one of the biggest culprits why you have higher energy bills every month. Insulation must be from the roof down to your home’s foundation — otherwise, the warm or cool air will only escape your home. As a result, your HVAC system will work harder and consume more energy.
Not properly closing the windows or having inefficient windows can also lead to more energy consumption. We suggest that you contact professionals to help you install energy-efficient windows for your home. For your home’s insulation, please contact a heating and AC repair technician for assistance.
Remember, when the HVAC system works harder, it may also eventually lead to a breakdown. You won’t want this, especially in the middle of a freezing winter. The only way to avoid this is by making sure your home and your system are energy-efficient.
Helpful tips for insulating your home:
- Having the right type of insulation suitable for your home is crucial. If you don’t know how this works, we suggest that you get in touch with a heating and AC technician in Dallas, TX, for assistance. Our team can recommend cost-effective solutions to help insulate your home better.
- You can lose about 20 percent of the heat in your ducts and vents when they’re poorly insulated. You can conserve power when you completely seal them. If you need help, please contact our heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX.
- For added insulation, buy thick curtains during winter and also summer. This way your HVAC system won’t have to work harder and consume more energy. Also, please don’t neglect your attic as warm and cooled air can also escape there. Ensure that they are properly sealed and insulated to avoid heat loss.
Extreme Weather
When the temperature starts dropping or rising, it’s likely for you to also adjust your temperature to stay comfortable. Try to resist the urge to turn up the thermostat if you want to conserve energy — instead, be resourceful and use thick curtains or try dressing up for the weather. You can save more money by keeping your home’s temperature consistent. Better yet, consider automating everything to ensure that you don’t use up a lot of energy. Get a smart thermostat and pre-set the temperature in your home. For installation, please contact a heating and AC repair technician.
Unused Appliances
To conserve more energy, you need to also watch out for those vampire appliances or home appliances that are not in use. Avoid the habit of keeping the appliances plugged in — if they’re not in use, please unplug them. These appliances still consume a little energy that can add up over time.
In addition, if you have older appliances that are no longer that efficient, consider replacing them to maximize your savings. Better yet, consider switching to energy-efficient appliances. For example, if you have an old water heater tank that’s no longer that efficient, consider getting a tankless water heater to save energy every month.
Leaks in the Ductwork
Do you have a forced-air heating system installed in your home? Then leaks in the ductwork can greatly contribute to higher utility bills. Inspect your ductwork from time to time to ensure there are no leaks. You need to also watch out for signs of leaky ductwork such as uneven heating or cooling, old ductwork, or a dusty home. Consider calling a heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX, to inspect your ductwork and fix the leaks, if there are any.
Windows
As mentioned earlier, heated or cooled air also escapes through your windows. As a result, your HVAC also works harder and consumes more energy. This translates to higher energy bills every month. Fix any drafts in the windows or switch to energy-efficient windows if possible. Also, make sure that you only hire certified professionals for installation to avoid other issues down the road.
Can a Home Energy Audit Help?
A home energy audit is an inspection survey that analyzes energy flows in your home or business. It helps you understand how much energy your home uses, which areas you need to prioritize for energy conservation, and areas that affect energy conservation. While you can do this by yourself, we suggest that you get a professional home energy audit for a thorough analysis of your energy use. Professionals use equipment such as infrared cameras, carbon monoxide detectors, moisture meters, or blower doors. They can also recommend how to conserve more energy in your home.
If you’re serious about conserving energy, then we suggest that you contact a professional in your area today.
Helpful Ways to Save Money on Heating and Cooling
Getting a newer system can help you save money and you can also use these other tips we’ve gathered to help conserve energy and save money. If you need more assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact a heating and AC repair technician today.
Don’t Add More Heat
During the summer, avoid using home appliances that generate more heat such as the oven or the stovetop. Using them can only increase the temperature in your home, and your AC will work a little harder and consume more energy. Consider cooking outdoors, invite some family members or friends and have some barbecue. Also, avoid using the dryer — instead, hang your clothes on a line and use sunlight for drying them.
Completely Seal Windows and Doors
One of the easiest things you can do to save money on heating and cooling is to ensure that the heated or cooled air stays inside your home. How do you do this? Fix cracks and holes, seal all the windows and doors. Fix drafts by caulking the edges and ensuring that no air escapes outside. You can also try installing some solar screens or mesh window screens to block off sunlight. If you need more assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact a heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX.
Clean the Filters
HVAC maintenance is crucial to energy conservation. Besides cleaning the unit including the outdoor unit, please make sure that you also clean the filters at least once a month. Dust and debris can start building up on the filters over time, and that can affect the efficiency of your system. It will work hard, consume more energy and you’ll have higher bills.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation when cleaning the filters and contact a heating and AC repair technician if you have concerns. If you have household members suffering from allergies and other respiratory illnesses, we recommend that you consider buying filters with higher MERV ratings such as HEPA filters or UV Light filters. These types of filters are very efficient at getting rid of even the tiniest particles in the air. They are beneficial, just a bit more expensive. For installation, please only hire licensed heating and AC repair technicians.
Utilize Resources at Home
During winter, ditch out all your summer clothes and go for those thick sweaters. Have some hot drinks so you won’t have to turn up the thermostat all of the time. You may want to also invest in fans during summer to help cool yourself. Fans can also assist your air conditioner — it doesn’t have to work harder to keep you comfortable in your own homes.
Get a Regular Tune-up
To ensure your system stays efficient and in excellent shape, ensure that you get it professionally serviced at least a month before using them. During the tune-up, a heating and AC repair technician will thoroughly inspect your system and rule out any problem. He will let you know if there are issues that need to be addressed. Regular system maintenance also prevents sudden breakdowns in the middle of winter or summer, which means you get to save money on repairs. Most importantly, a well-maintained system can keep you safe and comfortable year-round. Do you need an HVAC tune-up? Please contact a heating and AC repair technician today.
Don’t Ignore Minor Problems
Emergency heating and AC repair service don’t happen overnight. They occur because homeowners neglected their system. If you suspect there might be issues with your HVAC, we highly suggest that you contact a heating and AC repair technician at the soonest possible time for an inspection. Don’t wait until it’s too late — get help as much as possible to avoid even costly heating and AC repairs and replacements.
You can always rely on us and trust us with HVAC repairs for our technicians are licensed and highly skilled. We’re also experienced with all makes and models. Most importantly, we offer 24/7 emergency services to ensure that all of our customers get the services they need even at wee hours in the morning.
Switch to Energy-Efficient HVACs
Energy-efficient units are designed to use less energy compared to conventional units. If you want to conserve energy, consider switching to these kinds of appliances. However, you still need to also maintain them to get the most out of your unit. And for installation, please make sure that you only work with a licensed heating and AC repair technician in your area. Poor installation can also lead to problems with the unit. To prevent costly repairs, get in touch with a heating and AC repair technician at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating today.
Switching to energy-efficient units can help lower your bills and improve airflow. These units are also less noisy compared to regular HVACs. Most importantly, they can increase the value of your home. Consider buying this type of system if you’re thinking about selling your home in the future.
Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas
Do you need a heating and AC repair technician in Dallas, TX? Call us at your earliest convenience and we’ll quickly dispatch a technician to your home or office. We are an established and trusted HVAC company in the area — our team is highly knowledgeable, skilled, licensed and insured. We’re also fully equipped to ensure that all problems are resolved within the day. Also, we work incredibly hard to keep our customers happy and delighted. If you need a heating and AC repair technician, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for an appointment!