We can all benefit from saving money here and there. One of the simplest ways to do this is by making some energy-efficient changes throughout 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 learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Try a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains several features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to access their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to adjust your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables 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 feature the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make modifications to save money.
If you’re wondering how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Sadly, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance could result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician should inspect your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor issues before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep 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 recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – one during the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling products are much more effective than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC can offer professional services including furnace installation in Smyrna.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it might be a good idea to replace them early to avoid untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is around 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, getting a new HVAC system could save you approximately 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 identify the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. In general, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment meets rigid guidelines established 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 for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to measure the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Fletcher Plumbing, Heating & AC for air conditioning installation in Smyrna.
4. Look for High Efficiency Air Filters
When you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Specific air filters are far more efficient than others, leading to lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment.
The efficiency 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, though, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the best option for your system.