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 throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and control it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes a number of features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The function homeowners like the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, if you forget to adjust your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to schedule your home’s temperature determined by 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 watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They even generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make changes to save money.
If you’re curious about how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a problem, a lack of maintenance could produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups each year – one in the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling equipment is much more energy efficient than models produced just over a decade ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like Pliescott HVAC Services LLC can handle professional services including furnace installation in Cambridge.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live around 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it can be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the unit. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to 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 heating and cooling technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment satisfies rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems available, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Pliescott HVAC Services LLC for air conditioning installation in Cambridge.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re searching for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more effective than others, resulting in 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 relevant to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually restrict airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to review the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the ideal model for your system.