How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving money here and there. An easy way to accomplish this is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC system, contributing to a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.  

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

 1. Install Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat  

If you still use an older thermostat and access it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to make your home more energy efficient. 

The functionality homeowners like the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply take out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.  

Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to schedule your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make modifications to save money.  

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

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Regrettably, many homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, a lack of maintenance will sometimes result in 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 necessary components, and identify minor issues before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, increase 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 cold weather. 

3. Getting rid of Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems have a shelf life and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than units sold just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Brookwood Inc can handle professional services including furnace installation in Newton.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for around 15-20 years. If your systems are within that timeframe, it is often be a good idea to replace them now to prevent untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the unit. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system could save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of putting in a new system. 

 A professional comfort technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets firm guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems around, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Brookwood Inc for air conditioning installation in Newton. 

 4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters 

The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Some air filters are far more successful than others, leading to lower energy bills and a cleaner home environment. 

The efficiency 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 relevant to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s important to study the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the right one for your system.