We can all benefit from saving money where we can. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by identifying energy inefficiencies around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Look for a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and access it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The function homeowners like the most is having the capability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits 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 have the ability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even provide monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make modifications to cut costs.
If you’re curious about how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem important, a lack of maintenance will sometimes result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician should examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and identify minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This will lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups each year – once during the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than models produced just over 10 years ago. Luckily, quality HVAC companies like Custom Air Systems Inc can offer professional services including furnace installation in Port St. Lucie.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last approximately 15-20 years. If your system is within that timeframe, it can be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace it. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system can save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover 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 on the market. As a general rule of thumb, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment satisfies strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to calculate the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Custom Air Systems Inc for air conditioning installation in Port St. Lucie.
4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters
When you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment.
The performance 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 efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the ideal model for your system.
