Homeowner’s Guide to Reducing your Energy Bill

02 Jun Homeowner’s Guide to Reducing your Energy Bill

Kingsport, TN

It’s crucial to understand electricity use in your home largely depends on usage of your HVAC system. You may have noticed a rise in electricity expenses in the current year than in previous years. This occurrence indicates that it’s time to schedule your HVAC system for maintenance or repair. Our HVAC pros in the Tri-Cities area share on the blog today a comprehensive guide on how to reduce your energy bill beyond just adjusting the thermostat.

What could be causing my HVAC unit to use more energy?

HVAC is mechanical equipment that consists of many moving parts that work together to cool or heat your home. However, things can go wrong where your HVAC system will drain your wallet through high utility bills. So, here are the most common issues according to our Bristol area HVAC pros.

• Dirty Air Filter: The air filter is a crucial component of your HVAC unit because it provides clean air for your indoor environment and safeguards equipment structure and parts. The filter may get dirty, reducing airflow and causing the unit to work harder. This inevitably means more electricity usage and a higher utility bill. To avoid this, it’s advisable to change the air filter once a month.
• Duct Leaks: Your unit may not regulate your home’s temperature to an optimal level to suit your needs, causing increased energy use to achieve the best temperature if your ductwork has leaks or bends. Sealed ducts ensure that cool or warm air makes it to the rooms without being lost through interconnectors or gaps. Our HVAC technicians can run diagnostics on duct leaks and recommend ways to fix the problem.
• Failing Components: Over time, parts like capacitors, compressors, and motors will degrade causing difficulty in operating efficiently. Routine service work can prevent or delay these kinds of malfunctions. However, our Johnson City HVAC pros recommend always preparing for a new unit because of potential breakdowns, which are expected to occur every few years. Nowadays, HVAC units may require repairs within a few years after purchase.
• Low Refrigerant: General refrigerant depletion also negatively impacts the efficacy of heat pumps and air conditioning systems. Such decreased efficacy leads to high electricity consumption. Leaks in refrigerants should be rectified by qualified HVAC professionals to enable efficient system functioning and optimum energy use.

What can I do to help reduce my energy bills?

The reality is that some homeowners may experience challenges in managing their financial activities. Unfortunately, this can be exacerbated when a homeowner experiences an additional or unplanned expense. Therefore, it’s essential to look for ways to lower your energy bills. So, our Kingsport area HVAC pros reveal three tips that can help make your home more comfortable while you save cash.

• Regular Maintenance: It’s important to ensure the system is well maintained as it will help prevent future system malfunctions. A competent and experienced HVAC expert will be able to tell you the possible problems and advise you on the corrective works to ensure that your system is effective in cutting energy bills.
• System Age: Aging HVAC systems can take longer to maintain the indoor temperature resulting in high electricity usage. Older units may still function adequately enough to meet your needs but it’s still capable of raising the electricity bill. In the United States specifically, as newer more efficient technology comes to market, it may be cost-effective to replace your unit.
• Correct Installation: HVAC problems can be caused by improper installation including issues impacting energy consumption. If the unit is too large or small, or if ducts and electrical connections aren’t poorly sealed, then the electrical costs are bound to be high. Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure your unit is installed properly.

HVAC Pros in Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, TN

Cutting down spending on monthly bills to have more cash for fun, home improvement, or entertainment can be a challenging process. Nonetheless, you can manage utility expenses through routine system check-ups, duct inspections, and replacing aged systems with new ones. While you strive to keep your electric bill low, partner with our Tri-Cities HVAC pros at Thompson Electrical Service by calling (423) 343-5726.