How You Can Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

We can all benefit from saving money where we can. One of the simplest ways to do so is by improving energy efficiency in your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your heating and cooling system, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.  

Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements. 

 1. Look for a Smart Thermostat  

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

The feature homeowners appreciate the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere with their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to use your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Just 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 spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to watch 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 cut costs.  

If you’re wondering how to secure a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered. 

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Regrettably, some homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to examine 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 used to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling products are much more effective than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Wisconsin Rapids.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them early to avoid premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of putting in a new system. 

 A professional heating and cooling technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. As a general rule of thumb, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment fulfills firm guidelines made 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 used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to measure the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc for air conditioning installation in Wisconsin Rapids. 

 4. Switch to More High Efficiency 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, resulting in lower energy bills and a clean home. 

The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is illustrated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges from 1-20; the higher the number, the more effective the filters are. It’s important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s important to study the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the right one for your system.