We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. An easy way to do this is by improving energy efficiency throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your heating and cooling system, leading to a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Try a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and control it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains numerous features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners like the most is having the capability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can just take 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 heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the ability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They can even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make adjustments to save money.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance can produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor issues before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This can lower your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups every year – once during the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more efficient than equipment produced just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, quality HVAC companies like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning can offer professional services such as furnace installation in Moline.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last approximately 15-20 years. If your system is within that timeframe, it is often be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to minimize the risk of premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system could save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. In general, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment satisfies firm 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 for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Freed Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Moline.
4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters
The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, leading to 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 sometimes obstruct airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.