We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to do this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or adding a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC system, contributing 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 enhancements.
1. Try a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and control it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with a number of features to make your home more energy efficient.
The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, in situations where you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can just take out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to schedule your home’s temperature according to the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They even provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, some homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance can lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will evaluate your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and catch minor flaws before they create 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 help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups annually – once during the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and eventually need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more effective than models produced just over a decade ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like Wallpe Heating & Cooling can offer professional services including furnace installation in Greensburg.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system could save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of buying a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. In general, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment meets strict guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems available, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Wallpe Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Greensburg.
4. Switch to More Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re searching for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Some air filters are far more effective than others, leading to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The performance 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 worthwhile to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the right one for your system.