For many people in Toledo, OH, heating and cooling costs are among the largest bills they pay throughout the year. From rising gas prices to increased electricity costs, utility bills can be a significant chunk of your monthly budget. As one of the best HVAC companies in Toledo, Ohio, we have worked with countless clients to upgrade and maintain heating and cooling systems, helping reduce costs and keep more money in your pocket. In this blog, we are going to look at some proven ways to help you save money on your heating and cooling bills now and into the future.
Complete a System Upgrade to a More Efficient Heating and Cooling Unit
One of the best ways to keep your heating and cooling bills low is to replace your old HVAC system with a high-efficiency model. For most homeowners, a replacement system can save between 20-40% on monthly utility bills, which means the replacement costs will pay for themselves in just a few years. Today’s modern high-efficiency models will not only help you save money with more efficient cooling and heating, but also provide improved air quality, better comfort with consistent, precise temperature control, and quieter overall operation.
Increase Insulation in the Attic
Whether you built your home or are a new owner, attic insulation is something that we often forget about until there is an issue. Over time, blown-in fibreglass insulation will settle and compress, leaving you with less insulation to regulate your home’s temperature. This is important because if insulation starts to compress, you can develop other issues, such as ice dams and roofing problems. The current standard for attic insulation is between R-38 and R-60, which translates to roughly 10-14 inches of insulation. Not only will this new insulation help address issues on your roofline, but it will also help reduce your home heating costs by around 11 to 15% on average.
Add a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are a great tool for heating and cooling your home with precision, helping you save money in the long term. Their programmable nature allows you to customize your heating needs around when you actually need it. For instance, most people will program the thermostat to heat the home only to a base of 68 while they are working, then warm the house up before they come home. These kinds of measures can help lower the heating costs when you are not home, and as they are smart, you can adjust them to your needs. When used properly, a smart thermostat can save between 8 and 15 % annually on home heating and cooling costs.
Get an Energy Audit
This may seem like a weird one, but an energy audit can show where your home needs improvements to heat and cool it more efficiently. The auditor will inspect your whole home and look at everything from the HVAC equipment to windows, doors and insulation. You will be shocked by the difference window treatments, increased insulation, and other small fixes can make in your monthly utility bills, but most homeowners do not even realize there is a potential solution until they see an energy audit report!
Annual Maintenance Services on Your HVAC Units
Whether you have a traditional gas furnace and air conditioner or a heat pump and an electric furnace, annual maintenance services will do wonders to ensure your units are operating up to standard. These annual checks allow a professional HVAC technician to spot issues such as bleeding, air handler problems, or burner issues. Just like your vehicle, your HVAC equipment needs some tender loving care, and with regular maintenance, your furnace will be more efficient for longer. It is best to schedule maintenance ahead of the season: for heating systems, schedule a Fall maintenance appointment, while for cooling systems, opt for the Spring.
As one of the best HVAC companies in Toledo, Ohio, our team of talented HVAC professionals is happy to help make your home more efficient. We can install smart thermostats, work with you to find high-efficiency replacement systems and provide maintenance services to keep your HVAC equipment in tip-top shape. So, if you are looking for HVAC services that will help you save money on your utility bills, or simply have some questions about your current heating and cooling setup and would like to better understand what a replacement could offer, we are here to help. Give us a call today and see why Fry is your guy for all of your HVAC needs here in Toledo and Ann Arbor, MI.
