The HVAC system is a lot like the heart, it is the lifeline of your home, keeping you and your family warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, a lot goes into keeping your home warm, cool, dry, moist, clean, etc. Your heating, ventilation and air conditioner are big expenses and costly utilities, it makes sense to keep the system working well and working smart, but it can be confusing to figure out what you need to do to keep your system running.
Here are 7 things you should know when considering your indoor comfort.
- When to Invest in a New HVAC System
A few items to consider replacing your current system include spending 30% or more of the price of a new furnace or air conditioner on repairs, if your utility bills have increased 50% as a result of an older system that is less efficient, if your current system is older than 10 to 15 years.
- Total Savings with a New System
Heating and air conditioning make up over 40% of a home’s energy bill, so a unit that is not energy efficient is costing you more. In fact, today’s ENERGY STAR systems can be up to 60% more efficient that equipment that is 10 years old.
- Central AC as a Necessity
Most new homes come with central air conditioning as a standard feature these days. However, if you have a home that does not have central air and you are considering adding it to your home, consider that the best solution for indoor comfort, great air quality, and humidity control is central air conditioning.
- Improve Air Quality
Indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air and can contribute to allergies and respiratory issues. Adding a ventilation system, a UV light, or an air cleaner can drastically improve your indoor air quality.
Adding a humidifier can also help keep your indoor air comfortable. Adding moisture during the dry months can prevent dry skin, nosebleeds, and can also save your wood furniture or flooring from drying out.
- Keep Air Ducts Clean
The Better Heating-Cooling Council recommends having your air ducts cleaned once a year. Your air ducts are the pathway for heated or cooled air to travel throughout your home. Pollen, mold, dust, pet dander and dust mites can make these ducts their home.
Every time your furnace fires up and sends air throughout your home, everything in those ducts is traveling in that air and is delivered directly to your family room, bedroom, kitchen, etc.
- Schedule Annual System Checks
The best way to prevent unexpected issues is to have your HVAC system checked out. Schedule an AC system check in the spring to avoid surprise repairs and schedule a furnace check in the fall to get ready for winter. A qualified technician can check your system to make sure nothing needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Talk to a Professional
TR Miller Heating & Cooling is a family owned 3rd generation HVAC company committed to keeping Chicagoland area homes safe and comfortable all year long. We believe our customers deserve the best quality indoor comfort services possible and we take pride in being the name so many of our friends and neighbors know they can count on.
We’ve proven our commitment to excellent customer care and high-quality workmanship through the number of happy customers and awards we’ve received. We have been honored with recent awards including the Customer Care Excellence Award, Angie’s List Super Service Award, and we’ve also been ranked as the American Standard Dealer of the Year.
