We can all benefit from saving a few bucks where we can. One of the simplest ways to do so is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and control it manually, think about 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 capability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before going on vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to schedule your home’s temperature determined by 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 watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even create monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.
If you’re wondering how to secure a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Sadly, some homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance will sometimes produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, your technician will examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor problems before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups every year – once in the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like all appliances, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling products are much more energy efficient than models produced just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, quality HVAC companies like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling can offer professional services including furnace installation in Athol.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them early to minimize the risk of premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system can sometimes save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional comfort technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. As a general rule of thumb, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment meets firm guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems on the market, featuring 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 calculate the efficiency of cooling systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Athol.
4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters
If you’re searching for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more effective than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is scored 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, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s beneficial to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.
