We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to do so is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC system, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Use Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and access it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with numerous features to assist with energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners appreciate the most is having the capability to adjust their smart thermostats from wherever by using their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to change your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily pull out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to pre-set 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 offer the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They can even generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re curious about how to obtain a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Unfortunately, some homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem important, inadequate maintenance will sometimes result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician will evaluate your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor problems before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups annually – once during the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like any appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and eventually need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling products are much more effective than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Mayeuxs AC & Heating can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Norco and surrounding parishes.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live approximately 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your system is about 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of buying 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 firm guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems around, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to quantify the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Mayeuxs AC & Heating for air conditioning installation in Norco and surrounding parishes.
4. Switch to More Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Certain air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing 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 effective the filters are. It’s important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can actually obstruct 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.
