Don’t Be A Statistic: 4 Scary HVAC Facts For Homeowners — Answering Your FAQs

The weather in the heart of Texas is nothing if not unpredictable. Maintaining your HVAC and plumbing systems from winter to summer isn’t only important for your comfort but it’s also a necessity to keep your home safe from the elements. Texas is home to many startling HVAC and plumbing statistics, so stay tuned to find out how you can avoid having your home be just another scary number in a report.

Let’s dive into the top 4 FAQs concerning heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and plumbing, tailored specifically to Austin homeowners. We’ll even let you in on a few secrets for how you can lower your home’s utility bill.

1. What is the Average Amount Of Energy Used By A Texas Home?

The Average Electricity Consumption Per Texas Home Is 26% Higher Than The National Average

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average household electricity cost in Texas back in 2009 was $1,801, which equates to about $150/month. Since then, the average energy consumption for Texas homes has increased substantially with the average energy bill for a large Texas home now falling at around $350/month. 

Why is the Texas energy consumption average so much higher than the national average? This is largely due to the fact that the unpredictable and sometimes extreme Texas weather requires homeowners to utilize their comfort systems (like their HVAC system) more frequently than in other states. 

What does this mean for your wallet? You’ll want to do everything you can to make sure your systems are running as efficiently as possible. Green Leaf has helped many Texas homeowners with their heating and cooling efficiency needs. Here’s how we help Austin homeowners save money on electricity usage and increase home efficiency:

  • HVAC Maintenance: Scheduling HVAC maintenance twice a year (spring and fall) ensures your system is always running at peak performance. This includes cleaning and tuning the HVAC system, replacing filters, and double-checking that there are no issues with your unit heading into the new season. 
  • Energy-Efficient HVAC Installation: Green Leaf can install HVAC systems that are well-suited to the Austin climate to minimize energy waste. These include furnaces, heat pumps, AC, and smart home thermostats that will work to keep your home’s temperature just the way you like it year-round.
  • Insulation Services: Air leakage is not only annoying but can rack up a large bill. Insulation and sealing prevent air leakage by creating a barrier between your home and the outside weather — reducing your energy loss. When you prevent air from escaping from your home and insulate it, this will help keep your HVAC unit from having to work overtime and cause you to use more energy.
  • Tankless Water Heaters: Hot water is a blessing, but the electricity bill most certainly is not. Depending on the size of your home and your family’s needs, switching from a traditional water heater to a tankless water heater may be best for you and your wallet.

While Texas has much higher energy consumption expenses than the average U.S. household, Texas’s numbers are actually in line with other West South Central states including Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. 

You deserve to feel comfortable in your home without worrying about your electric budget. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!

2. Do Indoor Air Quality Products Like Dehumidifiers Really Help?

Only 4% Of Texas Households Use Dehumidifiers

With how hot and humid Texas gets, it’s amazing that only 4% of Texas households used dehumidifiers in their homes in recent years. What some homeowners may not know is that dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and other indoor air quality products can make or break your comfort in your home – especially if you’ll be working from home or spending a lot of time inside.

Many families are tired of paying such high electricity bills that adding another machine to their home sounds exhausting. But what if this machine helps improve your quality of life?

Dehumidifiers help maintain a comfortable indoor humidity level which plays a huge role in your home’s indoor air quality. This can actually lower your energy bills since lower humidity levels will reduce the strain on your HVAC system. Likewise, air purifiers can remove allergens and particles from the air while still maintaining low operating costs.

Green Leaf can help you improve your indoor air quality in your home. Check out our indoor air quality testing to get the most out of your indoor space.

3. How Can I Stop Wasting Hot Water In My Home?

The Typical American Home Wastes 9,000 Gallons Of Water Per Year Just Waiting For The Water To Heat Up

Waiting for water to heat up before taking a shower shouldn’t take too long, but when added up, your home could be wasting up to 9,000 gallons of water just waiting for it to heat up. Of course, this number is just an estimate and the amount of water actually wasted depends on your family’s water usage, but there’s always room for improvement.

There are several factors involved in this, such as the water flow rate and the faucet’s distance from the water heater. Insulation can also play a role depending on the size of the house.

Either way, to reduce water wastage and save money on your electricity bill, many Austin homeowners choose to install tankless water heaters. These water heaters heat water on demand, instead of the traditional water heater that heats a tankful of water at a time. 

Call Green Leaf today to explore tankless water heaters! With our years of experience servicing the Austin and Round Rock communities, we’re able to offer professional tankless water heater repair and installation you can count on.

4. How Much Water Does A Dripping Faucet Waste?

A Dripping Faucet Can Waste 6 Gallons Of Water Per Day

Dripping faucets aren’t only irritating, but can blow through your water utility budget fast. Dripping faucets are mainly caused by loose or broken parts or are due to water pressure issues. Though not dangerous, water damage and mildew growth are potential problems if not taken care of quickly.

A water faucet drips about once per second, so you could be looking at about 5.7 gallons of water wasted per day (1 drip/second, 86,400 drips/day, 15,100 drips/gallon) from just one faucet. 

If your faucet is dripping call Green Leaf to repair your faucet. We do it right the first time at an affordable price!

Schedule Fall Maintenance Today With Green Leaf

Don’t let your household become an expensive statistic — schedule your fall maintenance today to save money on Plumbing and HVAC upkeep and repairs. 

Get in touch with Green Leaf for professional HVAC maintenance and plumbing services. We provide the best services at affordable prices in the Austin area and are dedicated to making sure all of our homeowners have a great customer experience.