It’s no secret that running your air conditioning and heating can cost a lot of money. Especially nowadays, those monthly bills are starting to get higher and higher. And as the temperatures routinely change every fall and spring, homeowners often wonder if running the AC or heating is cheaper.
Here, we’ll explore what contributes to these high energy bills and share tips you can implement to lower your monthly HVAC costs.
Why Heating Costs More Than Cooling
While it can depend on the season and outside temperature, heating a home is often more expensive than cooling it.
Heating can consume more energy because the temperature outdoors is significantly lower than the desired indoor temperature. So, your heater has to work harder to get your home to the desired temperature.
For instance, if the weather outside is around 30ºF and you set your thermostat to 70ºF, your heating system has to overcome a 40-degree temperature difference. On the other hand, a common outdoor summer temperature is 90ºF, and you might set your thermostat to 73ºF. That’s just a 17-degree temperature difference, giving your HVAC system less work.
Of course, this can depend on the temperature outside, but this is the norm for heating versus cooling systems in the winter versus summer. Air conditioning gets the better end of the deal by not having to work as hard to lower indoor temperatures compared to outdoor temperatures.
Factors That Affect Heating Costs
Beyond outside temperatures, a handful of other factors can affect your home’s heating costs. These are items you can consider this fall and winter and perhaps even alleviate with some personal or professional help:
- Lack of maintenance: Heating systems without regular maintenance can be much less efficient. Simple steps like cleaning filters or inspecting components can go a long way.
- Efficiency rating of unit: Modern heating units tend to have a higher efficiency rating and thus use less energy, which results in lower heating expenses.
- System’s age: Most heating systems last around 15 years. So, if your system is nearing that age or beyond, it’ll run into more frequent problems.
- Insulation and home sealing: Proper insulation and home sealing can reduce how much air escapes your home, so your HVAC system can work more efficiently.
- Landscaping around home: You might not expect it, but your home’s landscaping can also make a difference. Trees and shrubs can sometimes block cold winds in the winter and provide shade in the summer.
- Thermostat settings: Recently, homes have been turning to smart thermostat systems that reduce heating and AC workloads and costs. Specifically, it can be beneficial to lower the thermostat when you’re not at home or at night.
- Use of other heating devices: You might be contributing to increased energy use and higher heating costs with additional heating devices, like a space heater. It’s typically more cost-effective to rely on a central heating system.
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Schedule Your HVAC Service With Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Want to take a proactive, worthwhile step toward improving your home comfort and cutting back on monthly energy costs?
Consider a high-quality, professional HVAC service. Regularly maintaining your heating and AC systems will improve their life spans and cost less in the long run. Or, if it’s time for an upgrade, invest in an energy-efficient replacement so it won’t have to work harder every month and burn money.
Look no further than Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for your local, affordable, and successful heating or AC services. As a family-owned and -operated company, you always get personal service and long-lasting results.
Call 610-885-8300 today to learn more about how we can save you money every month or schedule your HVAC service.
