Contrary to what you may believe, there is no set parameter for sizing a system to the precise square footage of your home. Because homes are all built so differently, your home’s HVAC system will depend on its specific construction. To determine the size HVAC system you need, you should have a licensed HVAC professional evaluate your home. They will examine your home’s layout and make recommendations depending on your home’s individual needs. Many factors go into calculating the size of an air conditioning system your home needs. Factors include the size of your home, the number of windows in your home and which direction they face, elements surrounding your home, and expectations your family has for the comfort of your home.

The HVAC industry uses the S.E.E.R. (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) which measures efficiency based on the amount of heating or cooling your system delivers per dollar spent on your electricity bill. Your system’s efficiency rating depends on the S.E.E.R, and the higher it is, the more efficient your system is. Understandably, a higher SEER means lower monthly utility bills and peak efficiency year-round.

Increasing the efficiency of your home’s HVAC system can be relatively easy. Most importantly, be sure to change your filters regularly and have a preventative maintenance plan in place. Also, make sure your thermostat is set at higher temperatures in the summer and lower temperatures in the winter. It doesn’t take the body long to adjust to incremental changes of 2-5 degrees, and these changes can save you a lot of money on your energy bills. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you keep blinds closed on windows that let in direct sunlight, or use curtains to shade your home while still letting in some light. Though natural light is something we all crave, keeping your blinds and curtains closed during the hottest days of the year, especially if you are not home, can drastically decrease the effort your AC system is required to make.

How often you need to change your filter depends on a number of factors. Homeowners with pets should replace their filters every 1-3 months. With pets that shed a lot or leave more dander behind, you’ll probably want to change your filter more regularly. Families with allergy sufferers should also change their filters every 1-3 months depending on the season.

In warmer months, we recommend most households set their thermostat to 74-76. Assuming the household’s residents are healthy, these temperatures can be very comfortable as long as your system also keeps the humidity level in your home between 40-50%. Keeping your thermostat set higher will keep your system running less often and could save you money each month on your bill. In colder months, do the opposite and set your thermostat to 65-68, or depending on the residents in the household. Luckily, in the colder months we can add more layers of clothing or snuggle up in a blanket to keep us warm. These changes can make a huge difference in the long run on saving you money.

Programmable and smart thermostats have a lot of advantages. Most importantly, they allow you to set temperatures in your home for the week, to save you money even while you’re away. You can program your thermostat to be set higher or lower while you’re away at work each day, and have it set to your desired temperature again before you return home. Having a programmable thermostat will save you noticeable amounts on your monthly bills and will aid in the longevity of your system.

Regular maintenance on your HVAC system should be performed twice a year. Our licensed professionals recommend having your system serviced in the spring before the weather heats up again, and in the fall before the weather cools down. Having regular maintenance performed on your system allows for a longer system life, higher efficiency, and proactive service to stop issues before they happen. Every homeowner should be enrolled in a maintenance program for their HVAC system.

Make sure any breakers connected to your system are turned on. Sometimes breakers flip off by themselves, so check these prior to calling for service. It’s also a good idea to make sure your thermostat is set correctly and is working. It could be that the thermostat is just set higher than normal and needs to be lowered, or simply that the thermostat’s batteries need to be replaced. Easy fix!