We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. An easy way to do so is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Continue below to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and adjust it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with numerous features to make your home more energy efficient.
The functionality homeowners appreciate the most is being able to control their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to use your thermostat before going on vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to schedule your home’s temperature according to the time of day and day of the week so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They also provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to save money.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem important, inadequate maintenance could produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician should examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like every appliance, 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, quality HVAC companies like Edington Heating & Cooling Inc can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Troy.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last about 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them early to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system could save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. In general, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are 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, on the other hand, is used to calculate the efficiency of cooling systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Edington Heating & Cooling Inc for air conditioning installation in Troy.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment.
The effectiveness 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 effective the filters are. It’s relevant to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the right one for your system.
