If you’re either planning on moving to New York City or already have been living there, you are fully aware of how expensive NYC is. You could make six figures in your hometown and live like royalty; but if you move to NYC with that same salary, you could actually end up struggling finically if you’re not careful.

The average sales price in Manhattan for condos in existing buildings, for example, was $1.9 million during the first third quarter of 2017. Though you can certainly find a nice apartment for a lot less than $2 million, you’re still going to end up spending a significant amount of money on other living expenses — especially when it comes to energy.

According to the Department of Energy, roughly 56% of the energy used in homes across the U.S. is for heating and cooling. Though upgrading HVAC systems isn’t free and can be quite expensive at first, it will absolutely lead to energy and financial savings in the long run. Updating your apartment or condo’s HVAC system will lead to much more comfortable living. There are numerous factors to consider before you start upgrading your appliances, however. You have to understand your building’s policy, its electrical capacity, the options you have available to you, and pricing.

“It’s essential to work with an experienced professional who understands the unique needs and concerns of New York City homeowners,” said Fraser Patterson, founder and CEO of Bolster, a NYC company that empowers residents to control their renovations by delivering industry-leading expertise and a transparent online platform. “Our team will not only help you select the HVAC system that’s right for your home and lifestyle, they’ll also make sure your project is delivered risk-free, on time and on budget.”

In addition to upgrading your HVAC systems, there are other great ways to improve your energy usage and save some cash. Before you opt to completely replace and upgrade your HVAC system, consider troubleshooting yourself. Here some excellent tips to help you save money inside your NYC home, condo, or apartment when it comes to troubleshooting HVAC issues:

• Start with the easy stuff — Sometimes simply resetting the circuit breaker or replacing a bad fuse can solve major HVAC issues. If your heat won’t turn on, it could also mean that your gas is turned off — so check the gas valve meter.
• Clean your registers — Dirty vents can block both hot and cold air flow, so it’s important to keep them clean. Start by vacuuming your HVAC registers regularly to remove dust and make sure airflow isn’t impeded by other objects. Additionally, if cleaning your filters isn’t helping that much, change them completely.
• Check refrigerant levels — If you notice your building is not cooling currently or the air is sticky, a depleted refrigerant level might be the reason. This typically means there is a leak and further maintenance is required.

As long as you’re staying on top of your building’s energy usage and are looking for additional ways to save a few bucks living in this expensive city, you’ll be fine and will likely enjoy your time in the Big Apple.