We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. One of the simplest ways to do this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, 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 changes.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial 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 improve your home's energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners like the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from wherever with their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can easily take out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to pre-set 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 capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They can even create monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to cut costs.
If you’re wondering how to obtain a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Unfortunately, lots of homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a problem, a lack of maintenance will sometimes produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This will lower your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than units manufactured just over 10 years ago. Luckily, quality HVAC companies like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc can perform professional services like furnace installation in Rockford.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last around 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that period of time, it might be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to avoid untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system could save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of buying a new system.
A professional comfort technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment fulfills rigid guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems on the market, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to quantify the efficiency of cooling systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc for air conditioning installation in Rockford.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are the same. Specific air filters are far more efficient than others, leading to 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 important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the right one for your system.