We can all benefit from saving money here and there. An easy way to do this is by making some energy-efficient changes throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your heating and cooling system, leading to a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.
Continue below to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes.
1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat
If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, try 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 functionality homeowners appreciate the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to adjust your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.
Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to pre-set your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to cut costs.
If you’re wondering 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. Routine HVAC Maintenance
Sadly, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan.
During an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and identify minor issues before they produce 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 can help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs.
We encourage two HVAC tune ups each year – one during the spring before summer and again in the fall before the arrival of frigid weather.
3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment
Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling products are much more efficient than units produced just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like Polar Air & Mechanical can perform professional services such as furnace installation in Myrtle Beach.
Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last approximately 15-20 years. If your system is within that period of time, it is often be a good idea to replace them early to avoid premature breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your system is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the system. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system could 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 comfort technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. In general, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment fulfills firm guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems on the market, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to calculate the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.
Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Polar Air & Mechanical for air conditioning installation in Myrtle Beach.
4. Switch to More Energy-Efficient Air Filters
If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Specific air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air.
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 efficient the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to find the best option for your system.
