We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to do this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing 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 learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Use Smart Home Products Like 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 a number of features to make your home more energy efficient.
The function homeowners like the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from wherever with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, if you forget to use your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply use 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 heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They also generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make modifications to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem important, ignoring maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician should examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint 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, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups each year – one in the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of winter weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and eventually need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more effective than equipment manufactured just over a decade ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Bishop’s HVAC can handle professional services including furnace installation in Sacramento.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last approximately 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them early to avoid untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is around 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. Per 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 recoup some of the costs of putting in 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, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills firm guidelines made 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 for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Bishop’s HVAC for air conditioning installation in Sacramento.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are the same. Specific air filters are far more effective 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 from 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 restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s important to review the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.