Keep Home Heating Costs Down this Winter

Arizona is known for its hot desert climate. But even in Arizona, temperatures can dip to pretty chilly levels. When this happens, homeowners turn to their Phoenix heating and air conditioning system to keep them warm.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home heating and cooling uses more energy than any other system in the home and accounts for about 54 percent of your utility bills. To save money and avoid Phoenix heating and air conditioning repairs, there are some simple things homeowners can do.

Lower the Dial

When you are cold, the last thing you may want to do is turn down the heat. But setting your thermostat a few degrees cooler in the winter when you are asleep or out of the house can lower your energy bill. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 10-15 degrees for eight hours can save you 5-15percent a year on your heating bill.

To help, consider installing a programmable thermostat. These relatively inexpensive thermostats allow you to adjust the times your heating or air-conditioning system run according to a schedule you pre-set.

Seal Ducts

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling system efficiency by as much as 20 percent. In addition to increasing efficiency and lowering your heating and cooling costs, sealing and insulating ducts can increase the comfort-level of your home and improve indoor air quality by reducing the risk of pollutants entering the home through the ducts.

Regular Maintenance

Perhaps the simplest thing homeowners can do to keep costs down this winter is to replace their Phoenix heating and air conditioning system’s filters. A dirty filter slows down air flow and makes the system work harder to produce heat, wasting energy and costing you more money. Disposable filters should be replaced about every month.

It’s also a good idea to have your system checked out by a licensed heating specialist. An HVAC specialist will check the parts of the system, such as the belts, valves and vents, to make sure they are working properly.

To find out if your system is in tip top shape, schedule an appointment with Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing today. Schedule an appointment online or call (602) 943-3426 in Phoenix, (520) 618-1884 in Tucson or (505) 264-7257 in New Mexico.