We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Keep reading 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 access it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains a number of features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The function homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply use your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits 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 offer the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make changes to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Regrettably, many homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician should examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint 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 can reduce your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups every year – one in the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like Connolly Electric & Mechanical can offer professional services including furnace installation in Cottonwood & Prescott.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it is often be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can sometimes save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you determine 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 meets firm guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to quantify the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Connolly Electric & Mechanical for air conditioning installation in Cottonwood & Prescott.
4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters
When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Specific air filters are far more effective than others, resulting in lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency 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 efficient the filters are. It’s relevant to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the best option for your system.
