We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your heating and cooling system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and control it manually, try 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 feature homeowners appreciate the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to use your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply take out 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 heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even provide monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to secure 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
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a problem, inadequate maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and pinpoint minor issues before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This will help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – one during the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Replacing Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and eventually need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling products are much more effective than units produced just over a decade ago. Thankfully, quality HVAC companies like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling can offer professional services including furnace installation in Rockford.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If your system is within that timeframe, it can be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to avoid premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is around 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. In general, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment fulfills strict guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems on the market, featuring 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 measure the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Rockford.
4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Some air filters are far more effective than others, leading to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The effectiveness 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 actually obstruct airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to review the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the ideal model for your system.