Why has your electric or fuel been so much more expensive in the past few months than it was this time last year? Last year fuel and energy cost skyrocketed, but since has levelled off and throughout most of the country have lessened somewhat. Shouldn't this year's costs have lessened proportionately?
While the temperature has been a little warmer during the past month, it still doesn't explain the overly large bill. The biggest consumer of electricity or fuel is the heating and air conditioning of a home. Next in line would be the water heater, refrigerator, and clothes dryer.
Perhaps a cause of the increase in the monthly bill is due to friends or family visiting recently. If there has not been any visitors, then look closely as personal and family habits. Has anyone changed how frequently showers are being taken? Are more meals being prepared at home on the stove? Should none of these possibilities hold any insight, the next step is looking at the HVAC equipment.
While the large majority of homeowners do not have the correct tools or knowledge and experience for testing the functionally of circuit boards, refrigerant levels, condensers, and so forth, the homeowner can tell if the compressor, or outside unit is running smoothly or rough, just by listening and looking at the unit. Depending upon the type of heating and cooling system present, a home may also have a separate air handler in the attic or basement.
While most of an HVAC system can be quite expensive to repair or replace, the most inexpensive unit to have tested or replaced is the thermostat or humidistat. Most of the thermostats available on the market are digital in nature. Many of these are programmable which, if programmed properly, can actually allow a homeowner's energy costs to decrease slightly every month.
Many HVAC service companies use the identical models found in the larger brick and mortar hardware store. This doesn't mean that a homeowner is able to run out to the big orange home improvement store and pick out any thermostat. Thermostats need to be paired properly with the type of HVAC system the homeowner uses.
Wiring diagrams are included with each thermostat, however, these diagrams are never all inclusive of all types of wiring schematics. Many times after following the wiring directions, one wire will be left without a connection being made. Many thermostats have more than one of the same colored wire that went to two different connections on the old thermostat, but not the new one. It can be exceptionally frustrating and confusing for a do-it-yourself type person and is just best left up to the professional service technician.
For more information and guidance about heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heaters, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com. Comfort Zone specializes in improving home efficiency with HVAC and other home mechanical services.
