We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to do so is by identifying energy inefficiencies in your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Continue below to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and adjust it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to assist with energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners like the most is being able to control their smart thermostats from anywhere they want with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can easily use your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to schedule your home’s temperature according to the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They also create monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make adjustments to reduce costs.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem important, ignoring maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
When performing an HVAC maintenance service, your technician should inspect your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor issues before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This can help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups each year – one during the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Upgrading Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Luckily, helpful HVAC companies like Mechanical Air Systems Co can perform professional services like furnace installation in Mason City.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for around 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them early to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system could save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. In general, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills rigid 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, meanwhile, is used to measure the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Mechanical Air Systems Co for air conditioning installation in Mason City.
4. Look for High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Certain air filters are far more effective than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment.
The effectiveness 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 worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes restrict airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the right one for your system.