5 HVAC Mistakes that Drive Up Your Heating Bill

Winter’s here, and if you still need to check out your heating system, you’ll be left in the cold. Unfortunately, it could be costing you money without you knowing it.

Avoiding these five HVAC mistakes will help keep your energy bills low and your house warm this winter.

Having a Clogged and Dirty Air Filter

Did you know that the air filter in your home can make or break your energy bill? It’s true, and it’s a lot easier to understand than you might think.

An air filter is a simple device that cleans the air that passes through it. Your HVAC system uses air filters to keep dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other contaminants from entering your home through the ductwork.

Air filters need to be replaced regularly because they become clogged with dirt and debris as they do their job. When this happens, the system needs to work harder to push air through the ducts and into your home. Unfortunately, that means more wear on the motors and other parts of your system – which leads to higher energy bills!

Replacing your air filter on time can help prevent these problems by keeping your HVAC system operating efficiently without costing more money than necessary.

The Thermostat is in the Wrong Place

Finding the right spot for your thermostat is important if you want to save energy and money. Here are some basic guidelines to help you get started:

• If you have a room with an exterior wall, don’t put the thermostat there. The cooler air can end up giving you an inaccurate reading. The same goes for entryways and other areas where doors open and close regularly.
• Don’t place your thermostat on an upper floor. Heat rises, so keep the thermostat on the ground floor for accurate readings.
• Avoid placing thermostats near any other heat source, such as radiators, vents, or fireplaces, because these can cause temperature fluctuations.

Forgetting Tune-Ups

When you think about it, all of the functions in your home are interrelated. If one system is not operating at peak efficiency, it can affect the operation of other systems. For example, if you have a leaky faucet, water may run down the drain when you aren’t using it. This can translate into higher water-heating costs if you are trying to heat large amounts of water that isn’t being used.

Your HVAC system is similar. If one part isn’t working efficiently, it’ll affect the rest of the system. A HVAC tune-up checks the operation of all components in your heating system and ensures they’re working properly. This can help prevent breakdowns and reduce energy consumption.

In addition to preventing breakdowns, there are other benefits to having your furnace serviced regularly:

• It reduces energy consumption by ensuring your furnace is running at peak efficiency.
• Increases comfort levels in your home by ensuring that airflow is consistent throughout the house and providing even temperatures throughout each room.
• It gives you peace of mind because any problems are caught before they become serious issues requiring expensive repairs.

Closing Registers and Vents

Closing your home’s vents and registers in winter is a common practice among homeowners. This is because it will help keep the cold air from escaping your house and save on heating costs.

However, closing these vents actually harms energy efficiency, restricts airflow, causes the furnace to work harder, disrupts temperature balance, and leads to mold growth.

When you close off registers, it forces your furnace to work harder because it has to push more air through fewer openings. This can cause your furnace to wear out faster than expected due to increased stress on its components.

It also causes uneven heating throughout your home – different rooms will receive different amounts of heat depending on how much they can vent into open space.

Adjusting the Thermostat Too Much

It’s a common misconception that you need to crank up the thermostat in winter to keep warm. The reality is that turning it up doesn’t mean the room heats up any quicker. In fact, it can cause your furnace to work harder and use more energy.

If you keep your heating high all day long, you’ll waste energy and money while still feeling cold. Your thermostat only controls the desired temperature, not how quickly the heating works.

We all know that lowering the temperature saves money. But what if you don’t want to shiver all winter? Lowering the thermostat by just a couple of degrees means your home will still stay warm, but you’ll save money on your bills. And if you get too chilly, throw on a couple of extra warm sweaters.

Avoid high energy bills by keeping your HVAC system in tip-top condition. Book your HVAC tune-up with the HVAC pros at Bell Bros.