We can all benefit from saving a few bucks where we can. An easy way to do this is by improving energy efficiency throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, contributing 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 changes.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and control it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains numerous features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere 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 simply pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to schedule your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the ability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They also provide monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to obtain a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, some homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem important, inadequate maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, the technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This can lower your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups annually – one during the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and eventually need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling products are much more efficient than units sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, quality HVAC companies like ACS Heating and Air Conditioning can handle professional services including furnace installation in Tucker.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can sometimes save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to measure the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like ACS Heating and Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Tucker.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more effective than others, resulting in 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 efficient the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the right one for your system.