Heating and cooling systems are incredibly important for home comfort. For example, the hotter states like Texas and Arizona desperately need air conditioning units to even be remotely survivable, while the colder states like Alaska and North Dakota wouldn’t be anywhere near as populated without some kind of heating system like residential boilers. Any of the states in between, like Minnesota and lower New York, need a mix of both heating and cooling services to remain comfortable in the hot seasons and the cold. But for all the importance that these systems play in our lives, how much do we really know about them?
They can get expensive! We love our air conditioning units, but air conditions can cost home owners over $11 billion each year (total, not individually)! Switching to a high-efficiency air conditioner and properly maintaining your units could reduce a lot of energy use — as much as 50%. Anywhere between 30% and 40% of energy consumption can be traced back to duct losses. That’s a lot of energy loss that can be avoided with a simple switch to ductless mini split systems. Ductless systems focus on zoning and individual rooms — there’s no use wasting energy consistently heating or cooling a room you go into once or twice a month, which is the thought process behind the ductless system.
They’re made to last for a while. They’re certainly not made to last lifetimes, but they are made to last for several years, especially when regularly and properly maintained. A furnace can last between 15 and 18 years, while a boiler can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. If you maintain your systems, it can save a lot on boiler and furnace repair down the line.
Obviously, the newer models are more efficient. The lowest allowed efficiency for gas furnaces is 78%, but there are some newer models can achieve 97% efficiency. That’s an almost unprecedented total efficiency. The higher the efficiency, the less energy wasted and the less impact on the environment.
As mentioned earlier (many times), maintenance is important. Be sure to check on your units to make sure they can stay working efficiently. That includes looking at the coils and at the filters especially. If you use an outdoor unit, make sure that it stays level and that there isn’t a whole lot of debris (leaves, twigs, etc.) around it.
Heating and cooling systems are integral to a comfortable home life, yet many families simply install the units and are done with it — they don’t know much beyond turning it on and off. Knowing the facts behind your machines can help keep them working properly and you spending less money.