We can all benefit from saving money here and there. One of the easiest ways to do this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and access it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to make your home more energy efficient.
The function homeowners appreciate the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want with their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, if you forget to use your thermostat before going on vacation, you can easily use your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to schedule your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even create monthly energy reports that show how much energy you've used and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to secure a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Sadly, some homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance can produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should evaluate your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and catch minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups every year – one during the spring before summer and again in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and eventually need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling products are much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over 10 years ago. Luckily, quality HVAC companies like Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning can offer professional services like furnace installation in Savage.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last approximately 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that timeframe, it can be a good idea to replace them now to avoid untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system could save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional comfort technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment meets rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems available, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to calculate the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Savage.
4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re searching for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are created equally. Specific air filters are far more effective than others, leading to lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is scored 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 worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much according to 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.
