We can all benefit from saving money where we can. One of the easiest ways to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, think about 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 functionality homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to adjust your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply use your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to pre-set 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 capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to cut costs.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, ignoring maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will inspect your HVAC system, clean key components, and pinpoint minor issues before they lead to 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 could also reduce your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and again in the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Age Heating & Cooling can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Sandpoint.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it might be a good idea to replace them now to prevent premature equipment failure 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 usually time to replace the unit. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system could save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of buying a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system available. In general, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills rigid guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to calculate the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Age Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Sandpoint.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re searching for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
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 important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact obstruct airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the right one for your system.