We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to accomplish this is by identifying energy inefficiencies 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 more affordable monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and adjust it manually, think about 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 enjoy the most is being able to access their smart thermostats from anywhere they want with their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can just pull out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to schedule 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 can even provide monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make modifications to cut costs.
If you’re wondering how to obtain 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
Unfortunately, some homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor problems before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means they use less energy 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 every year – once during the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like any appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling products are much more efficient than models produced just over a decade ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Northern Comfort Inc can offer professional services like furnace installation in Mankato area.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for approximately 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them early to prevent untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is approaching 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. As reported by 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 get back some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional comfort technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system available. In general, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment fulfills firm guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems around, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Northern Comfort Inc for air conditioning installation in Mankato area.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, leading to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The performance of HVAC air filters is illustrated 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, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s beneficial to read the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the best option for your system.