We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. One of the easiest ways to do this is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Use a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and adjust it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes numerous features to assist with energy efficiency.
The feature homeowners like the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can just pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
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 cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They also provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make changes to cut costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Unfortunately, some homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, a lack of maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician will inspect 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 will lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We suggest two HVAC tune ups annually – one during the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of cold weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Unfortunately, like all appliances, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than models produced just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, quality HVAC companies like Siloam Springs Heating & AC can handle professional services like furnace installation in Siloam Springs.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for approximately 15-20 years. If your systems are within that timeframe, it is often be a good idea to replace them early to prevent premature breakdowns 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 usually time to replace the unit. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of putting in a new system.
A professional comfort technician can help you find 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 satisfies firm guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems available, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Siloam Springs Heating & AC for air conditioning installation in Siloam Springs.
4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re searching for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Specific air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment.
The effectiveness 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 relevant to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the best option for your system.
