We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. An easy way to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Install Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and control 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 like the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to schedule your home’s temperature according to the time of day and day of the week so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They can even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to cut costs.
If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Regrettably, some homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance will sometimes produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor flaws before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups every year – once during the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Replacing Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than models sold just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning can perform professional services including furnace installation in Pflugerville.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live around 15-20 years. If your systems are within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them early to avoid untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is around 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the unit. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system could save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of installing a new system.
A professional heating and cooling technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills strict guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems available, boasting 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 quantify the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Pflugerville.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
If you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember 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 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 efficient the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.
