Our lives have changed drastically over the last few centuries as the comforts of modern life have shifted the goal of human existence from surviving towards thriving. Indoor plumbing, automobiles, and modern cooling and heating services solve many of the issues faced by our ancestors; by the same token however we are now faced with a plethora of new issues that principally take the form of maintenance in order to keep these conveniences afloat. Here are some facts on air conditioners, water heaters, and furnaces that every homeowner should know in order to keep their home comfortable and well-maintained year-round.

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning has become a modern convenience that many people simply cannot live without. It is estimated that around two-thirds of all homes in the United States have air conditioners, although this figure is likely higher in reality. Across the nation homeowners spend over $11 billion every year on air conditioners; this represents energy costs, maintenance, and repairs. Many homeowners neglect to have their air conditioning units inspected annually, resulting in potentially costly repairs over time that may actually threaten to cut their air conditioner’s service life short. In addition to regular inspections, many homeowners are seeking to cut down on their air conditioning costs by switching to high-efficiency air conditioners in conjunction with fans and other energy-saving methods to help reduce their air conditioning energy use by anywhere from 20% to 50%.

Water Heaters

When considering heating services, many homeowners are too quick to forget about their water heater despite their daily reliance on showers, dishwashers, and washing machines. While water heaters may be easily forgotten, in reality heating water can account for up to 30% of the average home’s energy budget; for this reason many homeowners may be seeking cheaper alternatives to provide hot water for their homes. For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, experts recommend installing a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters can provide hot water at a rate of two to five gallons per minute and typically have a service life expectancy of over 20 years. Homeowners that switched to a tankless water heater found that they can actually be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters; over time they will actually pay for themselves in terms of energy savings.

Home Furnaces

Home furnaces have allowed us to create comfortable interior environments regardless of what the weather decides to do outside; unfortunately it is only when the furnace ceases to work that many people turn their attention towards it. Experts state that furnaces actually only last an average of 15 to 18 years and continue to decrease in efficiency over time. Furnaces that are over 10 years old ought to be annually inspected by a professional heating service to ensure that homeowners are not losing money. In some cases, it may actually be cheaper to invest in a new furnace than to repair an old furnace; this is because the lowest efficiency the law allows for new gas furnaces is 78% but some newer models achieve 97% efficiency. For those looking to save money on their monthly energy bill, consider contacting professional heating services to get the most out of your home.