Home heating is one of your largest bills, especially during the winter season. We rely on it to keep us warm and it’s a necessity of modern life. However, many of the customers we encounter don’t fully understand what they’re paying for or how to get the most out of their units. We wanted to clear up some common sources of confusion by answering some frequently asked questions.
Let’s get started with question 1!
When Should I Change My Air Filters?
Changing out your air filters is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your HVAC system. Filters help trap dust, pollen, and other allergens that can harm indoor air quality. However, if you don’t change these out, you will end up doing more harm than good. Remember that all of the air inside your home gets sent through these filters. If they’re clogged up with dust and grime, you could actually be making your indoor air quality worse than it would be without a filter at all.
This is why you need to switch out or clean your air filters every single month. If you miss a month, you’ll still be alright, but definitely don’t let it go more than three months without changing the filter out.
How Does HVAC Sizing Work?
Sizing is one of the most important factors of a successful heating installation. A unit that is too big will use way too much energy. The reason is that your furnace will heat your home before it finishes through its cycle. A furnace uses more energy when it is starting up as opposed to when it’s been running for a few minutes. Essentially, this ends up leading to a lot of wasted energy.
On the flip side, an HVAC unit that is too small will be slow to heat your home and can end up damaged sooner than a correctly sized furnace would be. This is why you need to get a professional installation from a trusted local company.
What Are Some Simple Ways to Increase My Heating Efficiency?
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, space heating is one of the most expensive parts of your monthly energy costs. We recommend that you take steps to increase your energy efficiency so you can shrink that expense as much as possible. Luckily, it’s fairly simple to do. One way to boost heating efficiency is to take steps to keep heat from escaping your home. Insulation is the primary way we do this, so make sure you have good dry insulation especially during the winter months.
You can also keep heat in by implementing weatherproofing measures to your doors and windows. Weatherstripping is a simple, low-cost investment that can end up saving you a lot on space heating in the long run.
Are Ductless Systems Worth It?
Our team of HVAC pros is experienced in installing all major types of heating systems. However, we are often asked about the benefit of a ductless unit. These systems are a viable option, especially because it doesn’t get freezing cold here as it does in other parts of the country. Your ductless heat pump can keep up with the winters here and are more efficient than ducted systems. Keep in mind that they can be slightly slower to warm your home, but other than that they are a great choice.
If you’re interested in a new HVAC installation, fill out our form online or call us at (843) 242-0855. Our technicians have been trained in cleanliness and to take the utmost care and caution when helping your home.