Nobody likes to waste money. But you may be doing just that if you are not paying attention to the efficiency of your Florence, SC, home’s HVAC system. If it’s not running at its highest efficiency, you are paying more for your energy than you could be, thereby spending money unnecessarily. At Quality Service Company, our heating-and-cooling specialists regularly see ways our customers could increase their HVAC system’s efficiency and save themselves money.

While there are many ways to help increase your system’s efficiency, here are the top five ways we recommend:

1. Change your air filter

Changing your air filter every month, or at least every three months, can make a huge difference to your HVAC system and your home, according to Energy Star®. When your filter is dirty, it blocks the air flowing through your system, causing the system to work harder and use more energy. If your filter is dirty, it also cannot do its job by stopping dirt and dust from building up in your system. This definitely makes your system work harder and over time decreases its lifespan.

2. Set your thermostat properly

If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, be sure to use it to its fullest capacity. Setting your home’s temperatures to accurately reflect your schedule conserves both energy and money. Be sure to turn down your heating or cooling at night while you are sleeping and when you are gone from the house. Also, try setting the temperature a degree or two lower for heating and higher for cooling on a regular basis. You will find you may not even notice the temperature difference and you can really save energy. These efforts also prevent your HVAC system from working too hard, again increasing its efficiency and lifespan.

3. Check your ductwork

If you have a forced-air system, the ducts in your home carry air to and from your heating-and-cooling system. If the ducts have leaks or are not sealed properly, air escapes, hiking up your utility bills and causing your HVAC system to work a lot harder to make your home comfortable. Have one of our heating-and-cooling professionals check your ductwork and address any issues. Also, really dirty ducts can operate similarly to a dirty filter with the same consequences. Have them cleaned if this is a problem.

4. Schedule regular maintenance

Your HVAC system needs to be cleaned and checked on a regular basis. We recommend at least once annually––in the fall for your heating system and then in the spring for your cooling system. If your system is older, it may require more frequent care. Ensuring you have someone cleaning and checking your system regularly only brings you good results. It helps your system operate at its highest efficiency, increases its lifespan, and contributes to preventing unexpected repairs.

5. Upgrade or retrofit your system

When your system is older, it cannot operate as efficiently as newer models. Technology continually marches forward, making improvements in the efficiency of HVAC systems. If your system is ten or more years older, you are spending more in energy than you could be. It might be time to upgrade to a newer, more efficient model. But if it just is not in the cards for you right now, think about talking to us about possibly retrofitting. This just means replacing portions of your system with newer parts. Retrofitting, obviously, is not the same as a new system, but it can help with your system’s efficiency. What you save in energy over time could more than pay for the improvement.

At Quality Service Company, we want you as comfortable as possible in your home. But we want to make it as cost-effective as possible for you as well. Taking the appropriate steps for your HVAC system results in a more efficient system and money saved. Call us at 843-773-2550 to schedule an appointment today.