Homeowners are facing an expensive increase to their heating bills this winter season. Natural gas prices have spiked to a 14-year high and the U.S. Energy Information Administration anticipates this surge to continue climbing throughout the winter months.
Why Do Natural Gas Prices Continue to Soar?
For years, Russia has supplied Europe with cheap natural gas to power factories and heat homes. Given that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reduced overall supplies, there is much less accessible natural gas across the world. While global supply has dropped, demand still remains very high, and in the United States alone more than half of homes use natural gas for heating or cooling. With Russia continuing to weaponize its natural gas supplies, Americans will be facing much higher energy bills this winter.
It is critical now more than ever that your home’s heating system is working properly. Continue reading to learn how an efficient HVAC system can save you tons of money on your energy bill this winter. Plus, discover easy and simple household tips you can do to conserve energy and avoid overspending.
1. Perform Routine Maintenance
An inefficient HVAC system can skyrocket your energy bill. When your system is not working properly, it has to work much harder to satisfy demand. As a result, excessive amounts of energy gets wasted, causing a spike in your home’s heating bills.
The best way to ensure your HVAC system is ready to operate at its very best this winter is to schedule routine maintenance. The most ideal time to do this is before the start of a heating or cooling season. September, October, and Early November are the most ideal times to get your heating system inspected.
Western New York winters can be pretty brutal — the last thing you’d want is to waste your money on a system that is not properly heating your home AND increasing your energy bill. Routine maintenance ensures your system is running smoothly. Our technicians will be able to make necessary repairs or recommendations if they think you should consider upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system.
2. Replace Older HVAC Equipment
Many people have the misconception that upgrading their HVAC system will be more expensive than sticking with the one they currently have, even if it’s not working properly. In actuality, a run-down heating system will be much more expensive than paying for an upgraded system. If you have noticed higher energy bills, there’s a high chance your system is running inefficiently.
Our experienced and knowledgeable technicians will be able to determine whether or not you should repair or replace your HVAC system. Some indicators that point out it would be better to replace your HVAC system may include the following:
- Your system is running around the clock and struggling to reach the set temperature on your thermostat
- Your air conditioner or heat pump is older than 10-12 years
- Your furnace is older than 15-20 years
- Follow the $5,000 rule: multiply your unit’s age by repair costs. If the number exceeds $5,000, it’s best to replace the unit
3. Clean Air Filters
15% of energy waste is caused by dusty air filters. When was the last time you cleaned your air filter? If you can’t remember, then it’s probably time you do so. Clogged air filters limit proper air flow, and cause the system to operate inefficiently. It is best to check, clean, and repair air filters every 30-90 days.
4. Check for Blocked Vents
Blocked vents require up to 25% more energy to distribute air. Do a walk through your home and check to see if there are any vents that may be blocked by furniture. If so, be sure to move the item to a different location – these blocked vents are preventing vital airflow. This is an unnecessary waste of energy that will raise the cost of your bills each month.
By scheduling routine maintenance on your HVAC system, you can save big on your homes energy bill. Don’t wait before it’s too late – call John Lock Air Conditioning and Heating today at 716-894-6400.
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