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 putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn 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 access it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes several features to assist with energy efficiency.
The function homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from wherever with their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to change your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capacity to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Regrettably, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a problem, inadequate maintenance could result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and catch minor issues before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will reduce your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups every year – once during the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling equipment is much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like Marios Air Conditioning can handle professional services like furnace installation in Thousand Palms.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for around 15-20 years. If your system is within that period of time, it can be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can sometimes save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you determine 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 fulfills strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems available, featuring 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 measure the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Marios Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Thousand Palms.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Certain air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is rated 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 important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to find the right one for your system.