We can all benefit from saving money here and there. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your heating and cooling system, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Continue below 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, consider 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 function homeowners enjoy the most is being able to access their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can just take out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to schedule 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 have the capability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even provide monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to cut costs.
If you’re curious about how to obtain a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, lots of homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance can result in 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 catch minor flaws before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups annually – one in 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
Unfortunately, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling equipment is much more efficient than equipment manufactured just over a decade ago. Luckily, helpful HVAC companies like Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. can handle professional services including furnace installation in the Rio Grande Valley.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live around 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them now to prevent untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your system is about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace it. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment satisfies firm guidelines established 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 used for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to measure the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. for air conditioning installation in the Rio Grande Valley.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Specific air filters are far more successful than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is scored by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges from 1-20; the higher the number, the more efficient the filters are. It’s relevant to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the ideal model for your system.