HVAC Contractor Tips for Avoiding Energy Usage Mistakes

Have you ever wanted to get advice from an expert HVAC contractor on how to keep your utility bills low? Well, you’re in luck! Next Level HVAC sees a lot of homeowners making simple, yet costly mistakes that make their energy bills go through the roof. Here are five of the most common energy-wasting mistakes we see people making and our suggestions for how to avoid making them yourself. 

1. Keeping Outdated Equipment and Appliances

It’s usually wise to try to get the most you can out of the various things you own. This is part of responsible ownership. But when it comes to equipment and appliances in your home, it’s not always the most efficient use of your money to hang onto old items that no longer work efficiently or perform as expected.

Appliances and HVAC systems have changed a lot over the years. The most current and updated systems are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. At some point, it’s time to consider whether it’s a wiser use of your money to keep fixing up old systems or to buy newer appliances and equipment. You can rely on an HVAC contractor to let you know whether an old HVAC system should be replaced or if it still has a lot of good life in it.

2. Sleeping With the Windows Open

When the weather is mild, it’s tempting to sleep with the windows open. But if you choose to do this, make sure you turn your HVAC system off. Keeping the windows open while your thermostat is set to a certain temperature is a great way to overwork your HVAC system and make your energy bill go crazy.

Even if the weather seems pretty mild as evening approaches, it might get very cold overnight. If it does get very cold at night, your HVAC system will have to heat up your home the next day to a comfortable temperature. Depending on how cold it gets, re-heating your home after leaving the windows open at night may require more energy than you’d use by keeping the windows closed and keeping your HVAC system running all night long.

3. Failing to Maintain Their HVAC Systems

It’s no secret that HVAC systems require regular maintenance to continue working well. If you haven’t hired an HVAC contractor to come out and look at your system in a while, that decision could negatively impact your utility bill.

Anytime an HVAC system develops problems, it tends to function less efficiently than it would if everything were in tiptop shape. By neglecting your system consistently, you’ll most likely start to deal with an inefficient system that negatively impacts your energy bill every month. Replacing an old AC system may be the best way to save money.

The nice thing about HVAC maintenance is that it can lower your energy bills while simultaneously giving you peace of mind that your HVAC system is in good working order. Homeowners who fail to maintain their systems are more likely to experience unexpected HVAC system failure when they need it the most. If your furnace fails, you’ll need to schedule a new furnace installation as soon as possible.

To make your HVAC appointments as effortless as possible, contact Next Level HVAC and ask us if we can send an HVAC contractor out to your house at regular intervals throughout the year. When you have an automatic maintenance schedule set up, it removes the hassle of trying to remember to schedule appointments regularly.

4. Overcharging Electronic Devices

How many times have you plugged in your cell phone and accidentally left it charging all night long? This is a very common occurrence and happens with all types of electronic devices.

There are a couple of good reasons to avoid overcharging your devices going forward, though. For one thing, overcharging batteries is bad for them and can impact their useful lifespan. For another thing, overcharging electronic devices is a really good way to make your energy bills go up.

Instead of plugging in your devices right before you go to bed, try plugging them in an hour or two before bed. Then make it a routine to walk around the house and unplug all devices before you go to sleep. This is a great way to ensure you don’t accidentally leave your electronics plugged in for hours on end.

5. Insufficient Insulation

Insulation protects your home from temperature extremes. When your home is properly insulated, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the interior of your house at the desired temperature. When you have adequate insulation and your HVAC system isn’t overworked, your likelihood of needing repairs from an HVAC contractor goes down right along with your energy bill!

Hire an HVAC Contractor to Help Decrease Your Energy Bills

Today is a great day to decrease your energy bills and stretch your hard-earned money even further. To have a skilled HVAC contractor come out and fix up your HVAC system so it works as efficiently as possible, contact Next Level HVAC today.