Are You Making These St. Louis HVAC Errors and Paying the Price for Them?
In Missouri, we’ve experienced rising energy bills for the past few years. Unfortunately for us, the St. Louis climate often includes frigid winters, which means you’re left to budget more carefully to combat price increases.
But sometimes the way we go about heating our homes affects the amount of money we spend every winter trying to keep our houses warm. Could you be falling victim to these simple St. Louis HVAC mistakes? Keep reading to find out and to discover what you can do to solve each problem.
Not Using a Programmable Thermostat with Your HVAC System
If you have a manual mechanical thermostat, such as one with a rotary dial, you could be missing out on savings on your utility bills. In fact, if properly used, a programmable digital thermostat can save you up to 10% off your heating and cooling costs every year. The average household spends $2,200 per year on these bills, so you could save about $220, according to EnergyStar.gov.
Programmable thermostats have become very affordable as technology has advanced, so you can expect installing a new one to pay for itself within the first year of ownership. All you have to do is pre-set the temperature for the entire week, and your thermostat will automatically adjust your residential HVAC.
Pre-setting temperatures becomes easier when you choose a programmable thermostat with a schedule that works for you. Seven-day models are best if your daily schedule varies, such as you work a hybrid job; a 5+2-day model follows the same schedule every weekday and another on weekends; and 5-1-1 models are best if you keep weekday schedules and Saturday and Sunday schedules separate.
Keeping the Temperature Stable All Day and Night in Your Home
If you never adjust your home’s temperature when you’re away or before you go to bed, then you’re seriously driving up your energy costs. We recommend making your house cooler in the winter while you’re away or sleeping.
According to EnergyStar.gov, the ideal temperature during waking hours is somewhere between 70 and 78 degrees. Aim to keep your house no warmer than 70 degrees in winter and no cooler than 78 degrees in summer. In the winter, turn your thermostat down by 8 degrees while you sleep or are out running errands.
Remember, if you’re feeling chilly in the winter, you can always add a layer of clothing, don warm socks, or use a lap blanket while you watch TV. Just be sure to keep your residential HVAC on heat mode during the winter to help avoid frozen pipes.
Delaying St. Louis HVAC Installation
Many homeowners believe they are saving money by not buying a new, more energy efficient HVAC system. Unfortunately, they’re only considering the upfront cost of St. Louis HVAC installation.
If you don’t have an energy-efficient home heating system, then upgrading to one, especially if your current unit is aging, could be the break from utility bills you’re seeking. You could save about 10% off your current utility bill by switching to a high-efficiency furnace with an annual fuel utilization efficiency rating (AFUE) of at least 90% from a system with an AFUE between 60 and 80%.
At Meyer Heating & Air, we provide free estimates on St. Louis HVAC installation. We can compare your current system’s efficiency to a newer Ruud model’s so you better understand the kind of improvements you could experience as a result of the upgrade. We trust Ruud home heating systems to be long-lasting and efficient, which is why we committed to becoming an authorized dealer for them.
Not Eliminating Drafts from Your St. Louis Home
You can operate your residential HVAC system perfectly, but if you have a drafty house, you’ll still suffer with high energy bills during winter. Fortunately, sealing drafts in your home can be relatively easy and inexpensive.
Caulk the exterior of your windows and hang plastic over them to block any cold outdoor air from seeping through. Apply weather stripping around doors, and add additional batt insulation to your attic. You can also use draft blockers at the bottom of your exterior doors. You can purchase supplies for these tasks at your local hardware store for a fraction of the cost you’d end up spending on your utility bills.
Looking for More Advice? Ask Our St. Louis HVAC Pros!
Still need help with your home heating questions? Meyer Heating & Air is here for you. Call us during regular business hours with your most pressing questions, and save our number for 24/7 emergency service this winter: (314) 845-1929.
