We can all benefit from saving money here and there. One of the easiest ways to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to make your home more energy efficient.
The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is being able to access their smart thermostats from anywhere they want by using their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to change your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature according to the time of day and day of the week so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They even generate monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re wondering how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, some 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 result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This can 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 one in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling products are much more efficient than units manufactured just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like B&D Air Conditioning can perform professional services such as furnace installation in Safford.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live around 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 on a cold winter night. If your equipment is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the system. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can sometimes save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of buying a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment fulfills firm guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to quantify the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like B&D Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Safford.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are the same. Specific air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is scored 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 important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can actually impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.