We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. One of the easiest ways to do so is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements.
1. Install a Smart Thermostat
If you still use an older thermostat and access it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to improve your home's energy efficiency.
The function homeowners appreciate the most is having the capability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere by using their smartphone or other smart device. For example, if you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.
Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to pre-set your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re curious about how to obtain a free smart thermostat, check with your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, lots of homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem important, ignoring maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician should examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will reduce your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups each year – once during the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and eventually need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more effective than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Luckily, local HVAC companies like ACE Solutions can handle professional services like furnace installation in Hasbrouck Heights.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your system is within that period of time, it can 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 about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the unit. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can sometimes 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 HVAC technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. As a general rule of thumb, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment meets rigid guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering 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 calculate the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like ACE Solutions for air conditioning installation in Hasbrouck Heights.
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. Some air filters are far more effective than others, leading to lower energy bills and a clean home.
The efficiency of HVAC air filters is scored 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 restrict airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to review the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the right one for your system.