We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Continue below to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Look for a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and control it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains several features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners like the most is being able to access their smart thermostats from anywhere through their smartphone or other smart device. For example, if you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even generate monthly energy reports that demonstrate 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, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Unfortunately, some homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a problem, a lack of maintenance will sometimes result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and catch minor problems before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups every year – one in the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than models manufactured just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces can perform professional services including furnace installation in Alliance.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for approximately 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it can be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, getting 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 putting in 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, which means the equipment satisfies strict guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems on the market, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces for air conditioning installation in Alliance.
4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is rated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges between 1-20; the higher the number, the more effective the filters are. It’s relevant to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to review the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.