Could you be Wasting Energy in your Home? Here are 3 Ways to Tell

09 Nov Could you be Wasting Energy in your Home? Here are 3 Ways to Tell

SERVING AREAS OF BRISTOL, JOHNSON CITY, AND KINGSPORT TN

Utility bill increases should cause concern for Kingsport homeowners, especially when there’s a drastic usage change during regularly scheduled activities. Although several potential causes for a higher bill, your HVAC system may be the main culprit, even if it seems to be working correctly. The Kingsport HVAC professionals at Thompson Electrical Service share three ways you could be wasting energy in your home and how to avoid costly mistakes.

1. Turning up the Heat during Winter

Cranking up the heat in winter may sound like the perfect solution to keep your house toasty warm in chilly temperatures. However, HVAC professionals in the Tri-Cities area agree that dramatically turning up your heat is a waste of energy and money. Instead, when you decorate your home according to the seasonal changes, you can make it look and feel warmer for you and your guests. In addition, you can add soft throw blankets to an area chair or couch and change your sheets to warm and cozy flannel to keep you warm while sleeping. Lastly, when you invest in insulated curtains or large fluffy area rugs, you can help trap warm air indoors and reduce your need to run the heater. Using these simple tips can help reduce your energy costs and keep your home warm all winter.

2. Not Changing Filters

HVAC air filters remove dander, pollen, dust, dirt, and other contaminants from your home’s air, no matter which filters you use. As the filter fills with debris, your HVAC system must work harder to circulate the air and heat your home. The extra strain can increase energy costs, higher repair risks, and possibly an early complete system replacement. Bristol HVAC companies agree that system filters need changing every two to three months on average in the Tri-Cities area. However, suppose you are working on a home project or have a higher level of air contaminants in your home. In that case, your HVAC will benefit more by changing your filters more often. When you avoid changing your filters regularly, you could permanently damage your HVAC unit and require a replacement.

3. Forgetting Maintenance Visits

Some homeowners feel HVAC maintenance is an added expense. However, regular visits from a qualified Johnson City HVAC technician can increase your system’s lifespan and lower energy bills. In addition, routine maintenance checks can help detect problems early enough for repairs instead of waiting until the unit incurs severe damage or stops working. HVAC units that receive regular maintenance can help keep energy bills lower than units that don’t receive maintenance.

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

Heating your home during the winter is necessary. However, your HVAC unit could be the problem when your home isn’t heating correctly, or you receive a high utility bill. Therefore, to help determine why your electric bill is higher, you should contact a certified HVAC technician in the Tri-Cities area for an HVAC system check. Feel free to call Thompson Electrical Service at (423) 343-5726 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.