We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. One of the simplest ways to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes in 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 more affordable monthly energy bills.
Keep reading to learn 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 access it manually, consider taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains numerous features to assist with energy efficiency.
The functionality homeowners like the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from wherever by using their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply take out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to set up a schedule for 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 learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can even create monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.
If you’re wanting to know how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available.
2. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, inadequate maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
With an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should inspect your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This can help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs.
We recommend two HVAC tune ups every year – once during the spring before summer and again in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Getting rid of Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Luckily, helpful HVAC companies like Ilten's can perform professional services including furnace installation in Cedar Rapids.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last approximately 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it is often be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to avoid untimely breakdowns 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 usually time to replace the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can save you approximately 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recover 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. For the most part, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment meets strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are 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 calculate the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Ilten's for air conditioning installation in Cedar Rapids.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters
The next time 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 effective than others, resulting in 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 between 1-20; the higher the number, the more effective the filters are. It’s relevant to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can actually impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s important to review the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to find the right one for your system.