We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC system, 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 improvements.
1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes a number of features to assist with energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, if you forget to change your thermostat before going on vacation, you can easily use your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits 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 ability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They even generate monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Unfortunately, lots of homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem important, a lack of 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 examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and catch minor problems before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will lower your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups every year – one in the spring before summer and again in the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Replacing Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more energy efficient than units manufactured just over 10 years ago. Luckily, quality HVAC companies like JTech Mechanical can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Magnolia.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last around 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it might be a good idea to replace them early to prevent premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s 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. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system could save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. As a general rule of thumb, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment satisfies firm guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, featuring 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 measure the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like JTech Mechanical for air conditioning installation in Magnolia.
4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters
When you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, leading to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
The effectiveness 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 important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the ideal model for your system.