We can all benefit from saving money here and there. An easy way to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Try a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and adjust it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes a number of features to make your home more energy efficient.
The functionality homeowners like the most is having the capability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They also provide monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Unfortunately, lots of homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem important, inadequate maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean important components, and identify minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This will lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups every year – one during the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than models sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Struven Heating & Cooling can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Crown Point.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live approximately 15-20 years. If your system is within that period of time, it might be a good idea to replace them early to prevent untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the system. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can sometimes save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. As a general rule of thumb, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills firm guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems available, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to quantify the efficiency of cooling systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Struven Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Crown Point.
4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters
When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Some air filters are far more efficient than others, leading to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The performance of HVAC air filters is illustrated 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, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s beneficial to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the right one for your system.