We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. One of the simplest ways to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, gives you 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 changes.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and control 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 feature homeowners like the most is having the capability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want by using their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, when you forget to use your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to set up a schedule for 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 offer the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They also provide monthly energy reports that show how much energy you are using and when so you can make adjustments to save money.
If you’re curious about how to obtain a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, many homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician will inspect your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor problems before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This can help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more efficient than units produced just over a decade ago. Luckily, quality HVAC companies like A&M Heating & Cooling LLC can perform professional services like furnace installation in Tucson.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for around 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it is often be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent premature breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace it. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can 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 comfort technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets firm guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems available, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to calculate the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like A&M Heating & Cooling LLC for air conditioning installation in Tucson.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Some air filters are far more effective than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency 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 actually obstruct airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the right one for your system.