Here's How to Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. One of the simplest ways to do this is by making some energy-efficient changes in your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or installing a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your heating and cooling system, leading to a more energy-efficient home and more affordable monthly energy bills.  

Read on to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements. 

 1. Look for a Smart Thermostat  

If you still use an older thermostat and control it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to assist with energy efficiency. 

The function homeowners enjoy the most is being able to control their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just pull out your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to schedule 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 offer the capacity to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They also provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make adjustments to reduce costs.  

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 offered. 

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Unfortunately, lots of homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance could 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 examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and catch minor flaws before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This could also reduce your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

We suggest two HVAC tune ups each year – once during the spring before summer and again during the fall before the arrival of frigid weather. 

3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and inevitably need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than units produced just over 10 years ago. Luckily, helpful HVAC companies like HCE Systems can offer professional services such as furnace installation in Norton.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last approximately 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it might be a good idea to replace them now to prevent premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. As reported by 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 recoup 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 fulfills strict guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems available, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to calculate the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like HCE Systems for air conditioning installation in Norton. 

 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, resulting in lower energy bills and a clean home. 

The efficiency of HVAC air filters is illustrated 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 in fact obstruct airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the right one for your system.