Households across the nation are undoubtedly feeling the effects of rising inflation. As grocery, gas, and utility costs continue to rise, many of these families are now actively searching for ways to save money on the costs of running their household. Since monthly bills for heating and cooling often make up a significant part of the household budget, finding ways to reduce these costs can offer some welcome relief. If your household is one of the many now looking for ways to cut heating and cooling costs, here are some important ways in which a reputable HVAC repair contractor can help.

Updating the thermostat

If the current HVAC system is still using an old thermostat, simply having it updated to a programmable one can be very helpful in helping reduce heating and cooling costs in the average home. In households where family members are typically out of the home for several hours each day, having the ability to program the thermostat to take advantage of these absences can result in significant savings on heating and cooling costs. 

Repairing leaky ducts

Even the most efficient HVAC system will cost more to operate if the heated and cooled air is leaking out of the ducts before it can reach its destination. Leaky ducts force both the furnace and the air conditioning unit to cycle on more frequently and run longer during each cycle in an effort to obtain the temperature setting on the thermostat. In addition to burning more electricity or fuel, cycling in this manner creates extra wear on parts, increases the probability of costly repair issues, and shortens the lifespan of the HVAC system. 

Installing a high-efficiency filter system

If the existing HVAC system does not include a high-efficiency filtration system, it is probably costing significantly more to maintain than it should. This type of filtration system will help to remove dust, pollen, and other irritants in the air before it flows through the HVAC system, keeping both the interior of the home and the innermost workings of the heating and cooling equipment cleaner and less subject to wear. 

High-efficiency filter systems utilize a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating to help determine the potential savings each one might offer. A reputable heating and cooling repair contractor can determine if the home's current HVAC system can be retrofitted with this type of filter and what type of savings and benefits the homeowner might expect after installing one. 

Contact an HVAC repair contractor to learn more.