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10 HVAC Facts

HVAC unit
HVAC is not something the average person understands, whether you own your own home or currently rent an apartment unit, monthly utility bills are often a big question. You never really know what it might cost when you open that envelope. Wouldn't it be nice to no longer worry about the number looking back at you? By cutting down energy consumption, you can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars every single year.

You've probably heard many of the common energy saving recommendations, such as switching out old light bulbs for new energy saving options. However, by looking further into these 10 HVAC facts, you'll not only learn a bit more about your heating and cooling system, but also a few ways to trim down monthly energy consumption.

1. Where Does Most Energy Usage Come From?

Did you know the vast majority of your energy consumption comes from three different appliances in your home? That's right. 75% of your home's total energy usage stems from your water heater, air conditioner, and furnace. This means if you can improve the energy efficiency of these three appliances you'll save a substantial amount throughout the year. But what options do you have? First, how old is your water heater? An old water heater bleeds energy. If it is time for an upgrade, consider a tankless water heater.

2. Almost Half of Homeowners Don't Know What Their Monthly Electric Bill Is

Yes, 47% of homeowners don't know what they're spending on electricity. Would you do that for your mortgage, rent, car insurance or cell phone? Probably not. You need to know what you are paying and monitor changes in monthly bills. By doing this, you'll have a better understanding of what you're paying and how it changes throughout the year. This way, you can make necessary changes to improve energy efficiency.

3. Sleep Better With the Right Temperature

Struggling to sleep? Maybe it's your home's temperature. Optimal sleeping temperatures are between 65 and 72. Do different family members need varying room temperatures to sleep? Consider switching to a ductless multi-room system. This allows you to control each room's temperature directly and can save you money along the way (as you're no longer cooling or heating the guest bedroom or other areas of the house you rarely use).

4. 10 Degrees is 14%

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, if you turn down your thermostat 10 degrees while out of the house and at night, you'll save 14% on your energy bill. With a programmable thermostat, you can easily make this change. A smart thermostat gives you, even more, control, allowing you to change the home temperature from your smartphone.

5. Save With Cooler Water

Everyone loves a hot shower. But do you need it that hot? If you turn down the temp on your water heater by 10 degrees, you can save up to 5% annually on energy costs. If your water heater is on the older side, replacing it can help boost energy efficiency even further.

6. Monthly HVAC Savings

By transforming your house into an energy-efficient home, you can save at least $75 a month. Over the span of 30 years, this equals a savings of $27,000.

7. Replace That Old Furnace

A furnace's life expectancy is 20 years. However, as it ages, it becomes less efficient. This is why you need to have it annually inspected in order to maintain performance and reduce energy costs. Every year, newer furnaces are sold with improved energy efficiency ratings.

8. The AFUE Rating

Did you know your heating system's AFUE rating can tell you the percentage of fuel consumed for heat and what you're losing? Stay on top of this to see if there is a change. It means you're losing fuel in the transfer. Insulation options can help cut fuel loss and improve your heating system.

9. Beware the Power Vampire

There are many appliances that still draw power, even when turned off. These appliances are referred to as "Power Vampires." Consider either unplugging unused appliances or connecting everything to a power-saving power strip. Throughout the United States, all the energy lost to power vampires annually is enough to power 7,387 homes a year.

10. The Love of Central Air

According to the US Census Bureau of the American Housing Survey, 65% of households have central AC. Only 22% use a room or window unit. The rest either don't have AC or use an alternative cooling method. AC units can kill your energy bill if you're not careful. In fact, the amount of energy the United States uses annually to run AC units is the same amount of energy, in total, used by the entire African continent.

Call NexGen Today

Our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction make us the leading HVAC company in Southern California. To learn more about our equipment, services, and protection plan, book an appointment online or call 888-277-0415.

How To Best Maintain Your Air Conditioner In Extreme Desert Heat

cracked desert floor
Keeping the heat out of your home, especially when living in a dry, desert climate like California, can add a tremendous amount of stress to your air conditioner. It’s not the issue of whether you spare a few hours without air conditioning, but rather how does one keep up with the upkeep of an overworked air conditioner. Extreme heat means your air conditioner is running constantly to keep your house cooler, and the older the air conditioner, the faster it will wear down.

Warning Signs of a Damaged Air Conditioner

A good place to start is to make sure your air conditioner is working correctly. An air conditioning unit that’s constantly running in extreme heat generally means problems are more frequent to happen. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the culprit, however, and because of that, damaged air conditioners are left untreated until they break down. To avoid costly repairs, here are a few warning signs to look out for.

Dirty filters 

Over time, the filters inside the air conditioner collect dust, dirt, and allergens. Filters should be cleaned at least once a month, but because of the extreme heat, these filters collect dust and debris faster than normal. When the filter becomes clogged, the air conditioner has to work even harder to keep your house cool. Cleaning filters is one of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain your air conditioner.

Unwanted moisture 

If you find your air conditioner is leaking, there could be a serious problem. The air conditioner could be leaking refrigerant, which is a health hazard that requires a professional technician to repair your unit immediately. Water pooling adjacent to your air conditioner; however, could mean the drain tube that removes condensation is either blocked or broken. A damaged drain tube is not as serious of a problem but should be taken care of within a reasonable amount of time to avoid mold.

Strange sounds and odors 

Squealing, grating, or grinding sounds imply something inside the unit needs to be replaced. A squealing sound could mean the belt slipped out of place or a metal component needs more lubrication. If you hear grinding, the unit’s motor bearings might be broken. If something smells foul, the wire insulation may have burned out. If something smells musty, there could be mold inside the air conditioner or ductwork.

What You Can Do

For homeowners who live in extreme heat climates, it’s especially important to keep up with maintenance. Routinely cleaning and repairing your air conditioner not only extends the unit’s lifetime, it helps keep it running efficiently. Routine maintenance for your air conditioner isn’t the only method to keep your house cool, however, as habits and other appliances can impact the temperature inside your home as well. The good news is how much you can do to keep your house cool under extreme heat conditions.

Don’t confuse your thermostat 

Make sure to keep any appliances that emit heat away enough from your thermostat. A thermostat that senses heat generated from a lamp or TV nearby can result in your air conditioner running longer than necessary. An accurate thermostat will help keep everything running efficiently.

Keep out plants and other debris 

To maintain adequate airflow, it’s important to keep all plants and debris at least two to four feet away from the air conditioning unit. Building a fence around the air conditioner can help to keep shrubs, tree branches, and other bigger plants away.

Keep your air conditioner cool

Whether it’s inside or outside the house, it’s important to keep your air conditioner in a cool, shaded space, away from direct sunlight. Installing it on the shady side of your home, or using shrubs or a fence to provide shade, can help your air conditioner run more efficiently.

Keep as much of the sun out of your house 

Open windows are an invitation for extra heat to come in, that’s why it’s beneficial to always close curtains that face the sun. Installing thermal liners in your curtains also helps to reflect some of that residual heat out the window. Windows with a residential tint film will help to cut off sunlight significantly.

Monitor your habits and appliances

A lot of activities, such as cooking, showers, and laundry, can generate heat. To keep your house cool, try cooking outside as much as possible. Avoid using the oven, and when using the dishwasher, let your dishes air dry versus using the dry cycle. Shorter showers with proper ventilation will also help keep the humidity down. If possible, hang dry your laundry outside or avoid using the dryer during peak daytime temperatures.

Maintain a good airflow 

Good air circulation helps your air conditioner to run smoothly as well as keeping that cool air running through your home. Closing doors to unused rooms, closing closets, moving furniture, and using fans all help to keep a good airflow inside your home.

Don’t Wait Until the Unit Breaks

Nothing is more devastating or costly to a homeowner than having to live inside their home without a functioning air conditioner. Routine maintenance and energy-efficient habits are important to maintain your air conditioner, but it’s also crucial to have an HVAC contractor perform yearly maintenance. If there is ever something wrong with your air conditioner, a professional HVAC contractor can diagnose the problem. By providing you with the most effective solution, they can help keep your air conditioner running efficiently and longer.

Call NexGen Today

Our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction make us the leading HVAC company in Southern California. To learn more about our equipment, services, and protection plan, book an appointment online or call 888-277-0415.