We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to accomplish this is by making some energy-efficient changes in 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 more affordable monthly energy bills.
Read on to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements.
1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, think about 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 functionality homeowners enjoy the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from wherever by using their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to use your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to pre-set your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the ability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make adjustments to save money.
If you’re wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you.
2. HVAC Tune Ups
Sadly, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a huge deal, a lack of maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to inspect your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor problems before they create 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 help with your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups each year – one in the spring before summer and again in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling products are much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Fortunately, quality HVAC companies like Done Right Air can perform professional services including furnace installation in Milwaukee.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for approximately 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that period of time, it might be a good idea to replace them now to avoid untimely equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, getting a new HVAC system can save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover some of the costs of buying a new system.
A professional comfort 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, meaning the equipment satisfies rigid guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems on the market, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to calculate the efficiency of cooling systems.
Call a reputable HVAC provider like Done Right Air for air conditioning installation in Milwaukee.
4. Look for High Efficiency Air Filters
If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are the same. Certain air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in 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 between 1-20; the higher the number, the more effective the filters are. It’s important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can actually obstruct 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 find the best option for your system.