How You Can Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

We can all benefit from saving money here and there. One of the simplest ways to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies in your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your heating and cooling system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.  

Continue below to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements. 

 1. Install Smart Home Products Like 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 numerous features to make your home more energy efficient. 

The feature homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when 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 feature the ability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They can even create monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to save money.  

If you’re wondering how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you. 

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Sadly, some homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and catch minor problems before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This will help with your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs. 

We encourage two HVAC tune ups every year – one during the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of cold weather. 

3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Unfortunately, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling products are much more efficient than models sold just over a decade ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like JTech Mechanical can offer professional services such as furnace installation in Magnolia.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them early to avoid untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the unit. According to 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 get back some of the costs of buying a new system. 

 A professional comfort 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, meaning the equipment satisfies rigid 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 for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling equipment.  

Contact a reputable HVAC provider like JTech Mechanical for air conditioning installation in Magnolia. 

 4. Look for High Efficiency Air Filters 

The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are created equally. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, contributing to 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 effective the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s important to review the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to find the right one for your system.