How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. An easy way to do so 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 more affordable monthly energy bills.  

Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements. 

 1. Try Smart Home Products Like 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 includes a number of features to assist with energy efficiency. 

The feature homeowners appreciate the most is having the capability to adjust their smart thermostats from wherever by using their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to change 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 permits you to pre-set your home’s temperature according to the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They can even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make adjustments to reduce costs.  

If you’re wondering how to obtain a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to find out 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 may not seem like a problem, a lack of maintenance could produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will evaluate your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor issues before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This can lower your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

We encourage two HVAC tune ups every year – one during the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather. 

3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling systems are much more effective than units sold just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, quality HVAC companies like Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. can handle professional services such as furnace installation in McAllen.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for 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 premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your system is around 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace it. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you between 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 find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment satisfies rigid guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. for air conditioning installation in McAllen. 

 4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more effective than others, resulting in lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment. 

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, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually restrict airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.