We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. One of the easiest ways to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Continue below to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and access it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains numerous features to make your home more energy efficient.
The function homeowners like the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want with their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to change your thermostat before going on vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the ability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also generate monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, many homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, ignoring maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician will inspect your HVAC system, clean important components, and identify minor flaws before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This can help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups each year – once in the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and eventually need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than units produced just over a decade ago. Fortunately, quality HVAC companies like Rescue Heating & Air can offer professional services including furnace installation in Alice.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them now to prevent untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the system. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system can 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 comfort technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment satisfies firm guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems available, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Rescue Heating & Air for air conditioning installation in Alice.
4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters
When you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Specific air filters are far more efficient 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 effective the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes obstruct airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.