If you heat and cool your home with an older HVAC system and want to improve it, then you are not alone. A recent report reveals that families spend up to $500 on air conditioner and heating system repairs over the course of one year, and others spend even more than that on a new unit. However, if you are living on a tight budget, you might be looking for other options, and here are several that you might consider.
1. Have Your Unit Cleaned Professionally
When your HVAC unit is dirty, it may not run at peak performance. Dirt, hair, and other debris might build up in the filter and ducts, reducing its power. As a result, warm or cooled air might not reach every room in your home, causing the unit to kick on more often, waste energy, and raise your heating and cooling bills. Having your HVAC system cleaned professionally can reduce or eliminate these issues and even improve your home’s air quality. While you might vacuum out your unit or replace the filters, a professional cleaning may reach places you cannot.
2. Have Your Ducts Replaced
The ducts in your HVAC system are crucial to its performance, and if your budget does not call for a complete replacement of your system, you might want to consider replacing old ductwork instead. Not only can old ductwork hide cracks and gaps that might be causing your HVAC to work poorly, but some older systems might contain asbestos, which is a possibly toxic substance that could harm anyone living in your home. If you suspect that your ductwork might contain asbestos, it is best to leave the inspection up to experts who know how to identify and remove it safely.
3. Take Part in an Energy Audit
Depending on where you live, you may qualify to have a free energy audit performed on your HVAC unit. This audit may help you better understand what shape your heating/cooling system is in and what you can do to improve its efficiency without having to replace the entire system. Being able to improve hvac system parts instead of replacing the entire unit can help you save time and money, and this is especially helpful when you are working with a limited household budget.
4. Add Energy-Saving Control Options
Being able to control which rooms to heat in your home and to set timers for your HVAC system can help you to better regulate its operation and improve its efficiency. A professional HVAC company can let you know about which controls you might be able to add to your existing system, such as timers, sensors, and thermostats that are automated. These devices may help you get more life out of your heating and cooling unit without spending thousands of dollars. Having your system inspected can allow you to learn about these controls and what they can do for you.
Making elemental but important changes to your HVAC unit can help you save money and to better understand how it operates. Remember to have a list of questions prepared for the heating and cooling experts before they inspect your system so you can make a more informed purchasing decision.