You rely on your heating and air conditioning system to keep your Columbia, South Carolina home comfortable all year long. Most homeowners are concerned about how to maximize their comfort and HVAC efficiency while also keeping their energy bills at a minimum. Unfortunately, most homeowners aren’t experts in all things heating and cooling which is why people rely on heating and air conditioning contractors. That’s why the team at Air Necessities Heating and Cooling has answered 5 of the most common heating and air conditioning questions we receive from our customers here in the greater Columbia, SC area.
How Can I Save on Energy Costs?
There are many different things you can do to save money on your energy costs including the following:
- If your HVAC system is 10+ years old, you will see significant energy savings when you upgrade to a new, high-efficiency system.
- Installing a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in your home to minimize energy usage can also cut back on your energy costs.
- Use your ceiling fans to improve your home air circulation.
- Seal up any air leaks in your home including windows, attic insulation, doors, etc.
- Regularly change your air filters and schedule regular preventative maintenance.
Does a Bigger Heating or Cooling System Offer Better Performance?
Straight to the point, no. A bigger AC unit or furnace for your Columbia, SC home does not always equate to better performance. When it comes to the size of your HVAC system, you should be concerned about the right size. What size fits your square footage, layout, and lifestyle? A system that is too small will run continuously and a system that is too large will shut on and off frequently. Both of these scenarios end up wasting energy and money. That’s why it’s imperative to work with a HVAC professional when determining what kind of HVAC system you need in your Columbia, SC home.
How Often do my Air Filters Need to Be Replaced?
In order for you to keep your heating and cooling system running efficiently and your indoor air quality high, it’s important to regularly change out your air filters. The general rule of thumb is to change them out once every 30-90 days. Because every home is different, we recommend checking on your air filters once a month and then assessing whether or not they need to be changed out.
Is it Best to Repair or Replace my HVAC System?
When it comes to repairing or replacing your HVAC system, there are a lot of factors to consider. One major factor being how old your HVAC system is. If it is beyond 10 years and you’re looking at an expensive repair, it might be in your best interest to go ahead and replace it. If your system is under 10 years old and needs a less expensive repair, it’s most likely in your best interest to repair it.
How Long do HVAC Systems Last?
With proper care and regular preventative maintenance, the various components of your HVAC system (including your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, etc.) can last you and your Columbia, SC home around 10-15 years or more.
If you have any other heating and air conditioning questions you would like answered, please give the Air Necessities Heating and Cooling team a call today! We are always happy to help with HVAC questions and concerns.