How You Can Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes in your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.  

Continue below to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes. 

 1. Look for 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 a number of features to make your home more energy efficient. 

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, in situations where you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.  

Just 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 ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They can even generate monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to cut costs.  

If you’re wanting to know how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you. 

2. Routine HVAC Maintenance 

Regrettably, many homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, ignoring maintenance can produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs. 

We recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – one in the spring before summer and one during the fall before the arrival of winter weather. 

3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace can perform professional services like furnace installation in Monroe.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to avoid untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is approaching 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system could 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 identify the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment satisfies rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems available, boasting 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 air conditioning systems.  

Call a reputable HVAC provider like Lanz Furnace and Fireplace for air conditioning installation in Monroe. 

 4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters 

The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are the same. Some air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment. 

The performance 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 efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s beneficial to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the best option for your system.