The New Year is a great time to take a new approach to your home’s heating and air cooling system. Whether you’re considering investing in a new system for your home or you want to get the most out of the one you own, taking better care of your system should be one of your resolutions.
In 2018, commit to staying one step ahead of your HVAC system, and you’ll benefit from increased comfort, money saved, and more automation. Here are four easy tips to help you get there!
1. Upgrade Your HVAC System
If your HVAC system is reaching the end of its lifespan, which is usually 10 to 15 years for air conditioners and 15 to 20 years for furnaces, consider an upgrade. While a new HVAC system is a big upfront cost, it offers a range of benefits. When you start shopping for a new HVAC system, ask us about Energy Star certified heating and cooling systems that improve efficiency and decrease costs.
2. Change Your Air Filter
One of the most vital but often overlooked HVAC-related New Year’s resolutions you should make is also one of the most simple to do. Make it a point to swap out your system’s air filter regularly. During the height of summer or winter, when your HVAC system is on the most, plan to change the filter once a month. When temperatures are milder, plan to replace the filter every three months.
Setting a schedule to replace your air filter might seem minor, but this replacement will have a big impact on your HVAC system throughout the year. Air filters prevent dust, dirt, and other debris from getting into your system, keeping it clean and preventing frequent breakdowns. Clean air filters also improve indoor air quality by removing harmful particles from your home’s air supply and increasing system operating efficiency by keeping airflow smooth.
3. Schedule Preventive Maintenance
Another smart way to keep your system running smoothly is to schedule preventive maintenance. This is where our Comfort Club comes in handy. Try to schedule this appointment before you turn on the system for the season so that your HVAC system tech can discover any problems before they become emergencies.
Also consider a programmable thermostat. If your HVAC system has kept your family comfortable for a decade or more, you might still rely on a manual thermostat but it could be at the end of its life. While these still allow you to adjust the temperature and switch from heat to cooling, they’re missing the energy-efficient found with programmable, smart ones.
4. Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats offer a lot more than just automating the heat and air cooling. Since they link to your home’s wi-fi network, you can connect to them from anywhere you’ve got a signal and make adjustments. Some also detect when you’re on your way home and turn on the HVAC system to make your home comfortable. These devices also track your energy usage so that you can identify easy ways to make your household more environmentally friendly. We carry the Nest and Honeywell brands.
Call us at (847) 503-9497 to talk about how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency this year. We service homes in the North Shore and Northwest Suburbs including Morton Grove, Wilmette and Lake Forest.