We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. One of the easiest ways to do so is by identifying energy inefficiencies around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Continue below to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and control it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes a number of features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from wherever with their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, if you forget to change your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily take out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to pre-set 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 ability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even provide monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, some homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, inadequate maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician should evaluate your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and identify minor issues before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This could also reduce your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups every year – once during the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Upgrading 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 products are much more effective than units manufactured just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, quality HVAC companies like Stanford Heating & Cooling can offer professional services like furnace installation in Bloomfield.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live around 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that period of time, it can be a good idea to replace them early to prevent premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system can save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of buying a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. As a general rule of thumb, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment satisfies rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be 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, on the other hand, is used to quantify the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Stanford Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Bloomfield.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Specific air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to 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 effective the filters are. It’s important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact obstruct airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s important to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.