If you’re like many Charlotte, NC homeowners, you dread the rise in energy bills brought about by winter. Cold weather naturally calls for more use of the heating system, resulting in higher energy costs. But do your bills seem to be exceptionally high?
The team at Andersen Heating & Cooling knows all too well that outrageous energy costs are usually due to HVAC systems operating inefficiently. Here are several common reasons your system may be wasting energy and costing you money.
Dirty filter
Filters are common culprits for various HVAC problems. Clogged filters restrict airflow and cause the heating system to work harder than necessary to provide heat. Routine filter changes are essential to a healthy system. A Preferred Maintenance Agreement with Andersen Heating & Cooling will ensure your filters are checked, giving you peace of mind knowing your HVAC system works efficiently. Andersen Heating & Cooling recommends you check your filters each month – if you can’t see through them clearly, it’s time to change your filters.
Low humidity in Charlotte, NC, homes
Winter air is dry, and your furnace or heat pump makes it drier. This can make it feel colder, which means you have to turn up the heat. Installing a whole-house humidifier will allow you to turn down the heat a few degrees, saving money without sacrificing comfort.
Thermostat set to emergency heat
Heat pumps can be highly efficient, but only if used properly. The “emergency heat” setting is for- you guessed it- emergencies, particularly when the heat pump itself fails. Until that happens, keep your thermostat set to “heat.”
Home and ductwork poorly sealed
Warm air has a funny way of slipping through cracks where it’s not needed. If your doors and windows aren’t properly sealed and weatherproofed, heat will escape to the outdoors where it does you no good. The same goes for damaged ductwork with cracks and holes that allow heat into the attic or crawlspace.
Undersized HVAC system? Call Andersen Heating & Cooling for assessment
Your system could simply be improperly sized for your home. If your heating system is too small for your house, it will overwork to heat every room, which makes for a colder house and higher energy bills. If this is the case, you’ll need a qualified technician to assess what size heating system is appropriate for your household. Andersen technicians are trained and certified to identify and recommended the optimum HVAC equipment solutions for any home.
Save money this winter by lowering your heating bill and haveing your heating system professionally inspected by Andersen Heating & Cooling. Give us a call today!
