We can all benefit from saving a few bucks where we can. One of the simplest ways to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, contributing 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 changes.
1. Use Smart Home Products Like 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 comes with numerous features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners appreciate the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make modifications to save money.
If you’re curious about how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Sadly, many homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This will help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups each year – once during the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like GV Heating & Air can offer professional services including furnace installation in Crystal and Twin Cities.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for approximately 15-20 years. If your systems are within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them now 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 has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can sometimes save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover 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 for your needs. In general, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment fulfills strict guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like GV Heating & Air for air conditioning installation in Crystal and Twin Cities.
4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more successful than others, contributing to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is illustrated 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 worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact obstruct airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the right one for your system.
