We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or adding a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Look for a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and access it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes numerous features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is being able to control their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can just take out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to schedule your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They can even create monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make adjustments to cut costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to obtain a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Regrettably, lots of homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance will sometimes result in 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 important components, and catch minor flaws 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 will lower your energy bills, expand 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 winter weather.
3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and eventually need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling equipment is much more energy efficient than models sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, quality HVAC companies like Haselhoff Air Solutions can handle professional services like furnace installation in Ames.
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 minimize the risk of premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is approaching 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the unit. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system can sometimes save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional comfort technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. In general, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets rigid guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to calculate the efficiency of cooling equipment.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Haselhoff Air Solutions for air conditioning installation in Ames.
4. Switch to More Energy-Efficient Air Filters
When you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Certain air filters are far more efficient than others, leading to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The performance 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 effective the filters are. It’s relevant to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.