We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to do so 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 heating and cooling system, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Continue below to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Try 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 contains a number of features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The function homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere through their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, when you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can easily take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Just 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 spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even provide monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make adjustments to reduce costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to secure a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, lots of homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, inadequate maintenance will sometimes produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and catch minor issues before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This can lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups each year – once in the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more efficient than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like Watts Electric & AC can handle professional services including furnace installation in Columbia.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If your system is within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them early to minimize the risk of premature breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is approaching 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system can save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment satisfies 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 intended 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 Watts Electric & AC for air conditioning installation in Columbia.
4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, contributing to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is rated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges from 1-20; the higher the number, the more effective the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the right one for your system.