We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to accomplish this is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and more affordable 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 a round-dial thermostat and control it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes numerous features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want by using their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to schedule your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the capacity to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They can even provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to save money.
If you’re wondering how to get 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
Unfortunately, some homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance could result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, your technician will evaluate your HVAC system, clean important components, and catch 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 reduce your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups every year – one during the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling equipment is much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Mobile.
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 avoid premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional comfort technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment meets firm guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to calculate the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Farnell Heating & Air Conditioning Inc for air conditioning installation in Mobile.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more successful than others, leading to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is scored 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 worthwhile to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the right one for your system.