We can all benefit from saving money here and there. One of the simplest ways to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies in your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC system, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Look for a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and access it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with numerous features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners appreciate the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere by using their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the capability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make changes to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and identify minor problems before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This will help with your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups each year – once in the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than models sold just over a decade ago. Thankfully, quality HVAC companies like Knoechel Heating can offer professional services including furnace installation in Zelienople.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that timeframe, it can be a good idea to replace them early to avoid untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the system. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can save you about 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 for your needs. As a general rule of thumb, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment meets strict guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems around, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Knoechel Heating for air conditioning installation in Zelienople.
4. Look for High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more effective than others, resulting in lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is rated 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 important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually obstruct airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to review the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the right one for your system.