We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. An easy way to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or adding a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and adjust it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains numerous features to make your home more energy efficient.
The functionality homeowners appreciate the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to adjust your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can just take out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They can even generate monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to obtain a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem important, inadequate maintenance can lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and catch minor flaws before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This can reduce your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Replacing Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more effective than units sold just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like Fire & Ice HVAC can perform professional services such as furnace installation in .
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them early to prevent untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your system is around 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the system. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can sometimes save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. In general, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills firm guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to quantify the efficiency of cooling systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Fire & Ice HVAC for air conditioning installation in .
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re looking for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Certain air filters are far more effective than others, contributing to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is rated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges from 1-20; the higher the number, the more effective the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the right one for your system.