So you’re looking at your utility bills puzzling over the figures. The heating and air costs aren’t in line with the bold claims of your new heating and air conditioning units seated in a bed of pearly white gravel at the side of your home. “Immediate savings on utility bills!” the sales clerk said. The bill in your hand, though, says something else.
A climate-controlled home or office environment involves much more than the appliances. Unused capacity in heating and air conditioning systems translates to costly energy inefficiencies. Simply put, unused capacity means your home or office climate control systems aren’t functioning at their best and that can lead to higher energy bills. Don’t worry, you’re certainly not alone. The National Comfort Institute and the Department of Energy have conducted research which suggests that most homes with heating and air conditioning systems have roughly 40% unused capacity.
Heating and cooling can account for as much as 50% of total energy costs. So it’s a good idea to pay closer attention to your heating and air conditioning systems and unused capacity.
The importance of duct work in heating and air cooling
Your duct system conveys conditioned air throughout your home or office. The health of this system can influence the performance of your heating and air conditioning equipment. A build-up of dirt and dust can smother airflow, forcing your heating and air conditioning units to work harder.
Think of it like asthma in your climate control system. Poorly installed duct work also has implications for energy efficiency. This can result in air pressure imbalances or leakage, both of which add up to unused capacity. Even if you have units with the highest energy efficiency ratings, a dysfunctional duct system means you may not get the savings you’re hoping for out of your equipment.
The right fit for your home or office space
Another important consideration for tackling unused capacity is the size of your heating and air conditioning system. There is a tendency to think bigger is better but if your system has to condition more air than is needed, that all racks up costs which are entirely avoidable.
A heating and air conditioning system that functions efficiently is one that runs less. When it comes to installation, you just can’t ‘eye ball it’. You should have a proper load calculation performed to determine your heat and air conditioning needs based on factors such as measurements and design of the building and local climatic conditions.
Bring in the experts for your heating and air cooling needs
We all like to be handy around the home, but some things are best left to the experts. Installation and maintenance of your heating and air conditioning systems calls for specific training and skill sets.
A trained professional would be able to advise you on the appropriate sized system for your home or office. A qualified technician can conduct regular maintenance or do remediation work on improperly installed duct work. This would ensure peak performance from your heat and air conditioning systems. You also want someone with the right expertise who can perform a thorough airflow analysis to sniff out problem areas in your ventilation.
Many of you out there are probably always on the lookout for ways to keep costs in the household or business place down. Unused capacity in heating and air conditioning systems is an easy option to claw back savings every month. Get the experts to do a proper assessment so that, in the long run, your utility bills will no longer be a source of dread when you open them. Contact us for more information.