The heater and air conditioner within a home tend to be devices that no one thinks about until something goes wrong. Homeowners that fail to keep the HVAC system well-maintained may not realize just how much they are hurting their bank account. Here is a closer look at five things that every homeowner should know about their HVAC system and why it is so important to keep them running efficiently.
1. Your HVAC System Affects Your Family’s Health
Modern studies show that 1 in 5 people exhibit symptoms of allergies or asthma. While these medical conditions are inevitable in some situations, your HVAC system could actually be causing these problems or worsening the side effects. Due to the fact that heaters and coolers may be the primary entry point for outside allergens and contaminants, regularly cleaning ducts and changing filters could make quite a bit of difference when it comes to your family’s health. Owners should plan on changing filters at least once every few months, especially if they live in an area prone to allergens.
2. Heating and Cooling is Your Home’s Biggest Energy Draw
Another fact that residents may not realize is that their heating and cooling system is most likely the single biggest energy draw in the home. Depending on how new your system is, how well your home is insulated, the outside temperature, and your own preferences, your heater and cooler may be consuming over 50 percent of all energy that you draw. This means that even minor changes to your daily habits or even carrying out a few simple upgrades could save you thousands of dollars every single year. This is one component of the home that should never be ignored.
3. HVAC Maintenance Can Save You Big
Specialists suggest that residential heaters and coolers are serviced at least once a year. This should ideally be carried out in early spring for the cooler and at the end of summer for the heater. During professional maintenance, a technician will be able to check the entire system for any irregularities that could be decreasing the efficiency of the outdoor units, thermostat, or ducts. They will also be able to top off coolant levels, lube moving parts, change filters, clean ducts, and test the thermostat’s accuracy.
4. Inefficient Insulation Could be Damaging Your HVAC System
Anyone that does not have a brand new home or has not had an energy audit carried out on their home is most likely losing money due to inefficient insulation. In some areas, insulation should be replaced or repaired as often as once every 12 to 18 months. According to Happy Home Heating and Cooling, “The key areas to insulate include the attic and the walls where over half of a home’s heat can be lost. In addition using actual insulation, owners should also take a regular walk through the inside and outside of their home to seal up any cracks or holes that may be allowing air to escape.”
5. Modern Systems Save Money
A new HVAC system may seem like a major investment, but it could actually be a wise financial move in the long run. First, a new HVAC system can be custom-fit into a home and will drastically increase heating and cooling capabilities. Simple upgrades such as a programmable thermostat will give residents full control of their home’s climate control even when they are not there. New coolers and heaters could also make you eligible for tax credits depending on the style that is purchased. Finally, an upgraded HVAC system may increase the value of your home for five years or longer.
