We can all benefit from saving money here and there. One of the easiest ways to do so is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your heating and cooling system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Look for a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and control it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains several features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to access their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to use your thermostat before going on vacation, you can simply take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows 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 feature the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They even provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.
If you’re wondering how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a problem, inadequate maintenance can lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should inspect your HVAC system, clean important components, and catch minor problems before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also reduce your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than units manufactured just over a decade ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like MPC Heating & Cooling can handle professional services like furnace installation in Chadron.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last about 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them early to avoid untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of buying a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. As a general rule of thumb, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets strict 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 illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to quantify the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like MPC Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Chadron.
4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time you’re searching for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The performance 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 efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to review the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.