We can all benefit from saving money where we can. One of the easiest ways to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your heating and cooling system, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Install Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains several features to assist with energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners appreciate the most is having the ability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere through their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to adjust your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can just take out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to pre-set your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They can even generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re wondering how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, some homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance will sometimes result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and identify minor issues before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This can lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – one during the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Replacing Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and eventually need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Just Right Heating and Cooling can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Goshen.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live approximately 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it might be a good idea to replace them now to avoid untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your system is around 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace it. As reported by 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 find the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. As a general rule of thumb, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to calculate the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Just Right Heating and Cooling for air conditioning installation in Goshen.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, leading to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The effectiveness 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 efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes obstruct 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.
