We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. One of the simplest ways to do so is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC system, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
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 contains several features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners like the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from wherever with their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply use your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Like 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 adjustments. They even provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make adjustments to cut costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to secure a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Unfortunately, lots of homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance could result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and catch minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also lower your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups every year – one in the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling products are much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Western Mechanical, Inc. can handle professional services including furnace installation in Logan.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your system is within that period of time, it is often be a good idea to replace them early to avoid premature breakdowns 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 almost always time to replace it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system could 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 find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills strict guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems around, offering 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 measure the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Western Mechanical, Inc. for air conditioning installation in Logan.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When 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 efficient than others, resulting in lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The performance 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, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to find the right one for your system.