Did you know that in most Indiana area homes, half of the energy used comes from heating and cooling? In fact, it is by far the largest energy expense and the reason why energy efficient heating and cooling systems could have such a sizeable impact on your bills. With warmer weather in sight, Home Comfort Experts put together our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about heating and cooling systems and energy savings!
How efficient are today’s furnaces and air conditioners?
Today’s heating and cooling systems are extremely efficient. In fact since the Department of Energy (DOE) established a minimum efficiency standard for all heating and cooling systems in 1992, manufacturers have worked to continue to increase the efficiency level in each of their new models. Take furnaces for example, those manufactured prior to 1970 have an efficiency level of about 65%. Today, furnaces are at a minimum of a 78% efficiency level.
What does the ROI on a heating and cooling system look like?
The less electricity or gas that your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner needs, the more complex is has to be to handle that reduced intake. So while you may pay more up front for a high-efficiency unit, you will save money every month on your energy bills. The actual savings depend on weather, utility costs, home’s energy efficiency and indoor temperature preferences. The Energy Star website says that if your air conditioner is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star qualified model could reduce your cooling costs by 30%.
Which heating and cooling system should I invest in?
The air conditioner, furnace or heat pump that you should choose depends on a set of factors that are specific to your home, lifestyle and budget. It is important to get the opinion of an expert in the industry to help walk you through your choices. This is also the reason that Home Comfort Experts offers a free estimate on furnace and air conditioner replacement or installation.
Today’s heating and cooling systems are more efficient and high tech than ever. For more information about the heating and cooling systems Home Comfort Experts carries, or to schedule an appointment for a free estimate, check out our contact us page: www.homecomfortexpertsinc.com/contact-us.
It has been months since you have used your home’s air conditioner and the last you can recall is that it was working just fine! So do you really need to schedule that spring maintenance check? We will let you make the call but before you do, check out the benefits of getting a Home Comfort Experts’ tune-up for your air conditioning before the hot weather hits.
Fix AC Unit Issues Before They Become Problems
Problems usually start small and get bigger over time until they reach the crisis point. A loose wire can turn into a severed connection and a seemingly dead unit. A sluggish fan can turn into a stopped fan. You get the picture. Regular maintenance lets your HVAC technician spot the trouble before your air conditioning stalls out on the hottest day of the year. It’s not a guarantee, of course; sometimes things just break. But in many cases, a maintenance call can save you from a big repair bill.
Air Conditioner Tune-Ups Help You Save Money
Even if those minor issues we mentioned above don’t cause your AC to sputter out, they can still impact your wallet with higher electricity bills each month. For instance, let’s say you have a minor refrigerant leak. If it’s small and slow, your unit will keep working. But it will have to continuously work harder to cool the air down, which means you are using more electricity and spending more money. The same applies for a dirty filter: the air has to work harder to push through the dust, so the fan has to work harder. During a maintenance call, your technician will check your system and eliminate these little nuisances before they add up to big problems.
Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance Keeps You in Warranty
Many AC units require that you demonstrate you’ve had regular air conditioner maintenance in order to honor the warranty. Missing an appointment might mean you’re stuck paying out of pocket for repairs that should be covered under warranty.
Helps Extend the Life of Your System
Proper maintenance is key to making sure your air conditioning unit lasts for years to come. Just as you regularly change the oil in your car or empty the bag on your vacuum cleaner, preventative measures keep everything running better and longer.
Are you convinced? If so, now is the perfect time to schedule your spring maintenance. Give Home Comfort Experts a call or schedule an appointment online.