We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. An easy way to accomplish this is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or adding a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Look for Smart Home Products Like 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 numerous features to make your home more energy efficient.
The feature homeowners appreciate the most is being able to control their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to use your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just take out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables 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 have the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to cut costs.
If you’re wondering how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Unfortunately, lots of homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a problem, inadequate maintenance can produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor problems before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will lower your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups each year – once during the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and eventually need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Luckily, helpful HVAC companies like Anderson Heating & A/C can perform professional services including furnace installation in Carson City.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your system is within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to avoid untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace it. 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 recoup some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional comfort 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 meets strict guidelines established 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 intended for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Anderson Heating & A/C for air conditioning installation in Carson City.
4. Switch to More Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are created equally. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The performance 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 sometimes obstruct airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the right one for your system.