Your HVAC system plays an integral role in maintaining indoor temperature and air quality. But if you’re not careful, it’s easy to fall into some bad habits that could drive up your energy consumption and monthly utility bills, as well as shorten the life span of your unit. Here are a few of the most common HVAC mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them.

3 HVAC Habits to Avoid

1. Blocking the Vents

Your vents distribute warm or cool air throughout your home. If they’re blocked off by furniture, toys, or other obstructions, the trapped air will put more pressure on the HVAC ducts, leading to costly leaks. This damage will negate any possible savings, so leave vents open and unobstructed. If you want to keep a room slightly warmer than the rest of the home, close only one or two vents or shut them halfway to minimize the stress placed on the system.

2. Failing to Change Your Filters

Filters are designed to trap dust and allergens to prevent them from contaminating your indoor air supply. If they aren’t replaced every few months, they will clog up and release these pollutants back into your air supply. This can trigger a variety of allergy symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, and congestion. If you have pets or someone in your family is susceptible to allergies, change them at least once a month.

3. Over Adjusting the Thermostat

On particularly hot days, it’s tempting to turn the thermostat all the way down; however, this won’t help your home cool down any faster, as the system likely only works at one speed. Instead, it wastes energy and increases your utility bills. Upgrade to a programmable thermostat; this allows you to input a set schedule for the temperature setting or tune it remotely, so you can come back from work to an already cool home. 

If you need to schedule repair or maintenance solutions for your HVAC system, turn to Sunshine Air Conditioning and Heating. For 19 years, they’ve offered comprehensive heating and cooling services to residents throughout Westchester County and the surrounding areas, including Peekskill and Cortland, NY. Call (914) 245-2050 to schedule an appointment with one of their licensed technicians. You can also visit them online to learn more about their services.