We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is by making some energy-efficient changes in your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and control it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes numerous features to assist with energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners appreciate the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere by using their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to change your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to pre-set your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re wondering how to get a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance will sometimes result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor problems before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This will help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups every year – once during the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than models sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating can offer professional services like furnace installation in .
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live around 15-20 years. If your systems are within that timeframe, it can be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is around 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the unit. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets strict guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems available, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating for air conditioning installation in .
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re searching for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in lower energy bills and a clean home.
The performance of HVAC air filters is illustrated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges from 1-20; the higher the number, the more efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the best option for your system.