We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to do so is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Use a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust 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 function homeowners appreciate the most is being able to control their smart thermostats from anywhere 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.
Similar to 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 feature the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They also provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to save money.
If you’re curious about how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Sadly, many homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a problem, a lack of maintenance could produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also lower your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups every year – one in the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and eventually need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more energy efficient than units manufactured just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Bigfoot Mechanical can offer professional services including furnace installation in Spokane.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to avoid untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your system is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the unit. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can sometimes save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of buying 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, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills firm guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems available, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Bigfoot Mechanical for air conditioning installation in Spokane.
4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters
The next time you’re searching for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Some air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in lower energy bills and a clean home.
The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is illustrated 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 actually impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.
