According to the US Department of Energy, heating and cooling are the biggest energy expenses for average US homes, consuming 48 percent of energy. No wonder homeowners are always trying to cut down on their energy consumption. But that is not always a possibility. For example, high temperatures in Tampa, Spring Hill and other areas in Florida require residents to keep their ACs running for a long time. This leads to additional expenses like regular air conditioning upkeep and repairs. In the peak of winter, when the state was in the grips of a cold wave, homeowners had to keep their heating units running for hours on end to stay warm and comfortable. Does this mean there’s no way to lower your bills? Well, of course, there is! But it requires you to adopt a more proactive stance and avoid the following mistakes:

1. Keeping the Air Vents Blocked or Closed

According to HVAC experts, you should have a minimum of one heating/cooling duct in every room in your home for maximum impact (Source: homeguides.sfgate.com). This vent, situated on the wall or floor, often remains covered by a grate or grille and can affect the overall appearance of your room. That is precisely why many homeowners try to cover them up behind curtains or below furniture. But when this happens, the heated air has a hard time flowing into the space and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. What you need to do is keep houseplants, curtains, and furniture away from the opening and dust it regularly so as not to impede the heating function of the HVAC system and facilitate efficient heating of your home.

2. Tampering with Thermostat Settings

A lot of homeowners have this habit of adjusting their thermostat repeatedly. They return home after running an errand outdoor in the cold and immediately increase the temperature on the thermostat. If you belong to this category, know that changing the setting frequently will not warm up your room instantly. In fact, all you succeed in doing is wasting energy.

A good solution would be to have a programmable thermostat installed in your home. Nowadays, you can find decent models for as low as $30 , and they help you conserve energy minus the hassle of frequent manual adjustment. Moreover, you can program the device to change temperatures as per a preset schedule.

But whatever you do, don’t cover up your thermostat or set it up near televisions, heat generators, lamps, or areas that receive direct sunlight. Not only does this accidentally increase the internal temperature of the device but the efficiency and performance get hampered in the long run too.

3. Judging Air Filter by Its Price Tag

You must have heard the phrase price isn’t everything. Unfortunately, when it comes to air filters, the price is often a determinant of quality. Choose a product that is dirt-cheap, and you might experience a considerable dip in indoor air quality. On the other hand, selecting a high-priced item isn’t necessarily better. Most homeowners judge air filters by their respective MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ratings – the higher, the better. But this is the wrong approach. For starters, buying a top rated air filter means you will have to shell out more. Second, the highest quality products are rarely used in regular residential air systems. Why? Because they produce too much drag for the system, especially for older units, to handle.

So, rather than the price tag, the requirements listed in your HVAC manual are a good indicator of the type of air filter needed by your system. Speaking to a professional is also helpful. Remember, the perfect air filter is one which combines efficient heating and cooling with the removal of airborne particulates.

Everybody wants to save money, but very few know how. They keep on repeating the same mistakes and increase the pressure on their systems. As a result, HVAC failures are common in the cities with extreme weather patterns. Air conditioning repair services are readily available in Spring Hill and other cities in this sub-tropical regions of the USA, but you should try to avoid frequent repair works as far as you can.    Thankfully, the tips given above can help you take a step in the right direction and lower your overall HVAC repairing and maintenance expenses.