We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your heating and cooling system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Install 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 comes with several features to make your home more energy efficient.
The function homeowners like the most is being able to access their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can easily pull out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
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 offer the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also provide monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re curious about how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System
Sadly, some homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, a lack of maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician should evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and pinpoint minor problems before they produce 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 can lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like any appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and eventually need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than equipment manufactured just over a decade ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like Lakeside Heating & Air can perform professional services such as furnace installation in Chelan and Wenatchee.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that timeframe, it might be a good idea to replace them now to prevent premature equipment failures 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 it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to 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 HVAC technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment meets rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems available, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Lakeside Heating & Air for air conditioning installation in Chelan and Wenatchee.
4. Look for High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Specific air filters are far more successful than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency 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 in fact impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.
