How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving a few bucks from time to time. An easy way to do this is by improving energy efficiency throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your heating and cooling system, contributing 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 improvements. 

 1. Use Smart Home Products Like 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 contains numerous features to make your home more energy efficient. 

The feature homeowners appreciate the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from anywhere by using their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can just pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.  

Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to set up a schedule for 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 understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even generate monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to save money.  

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

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Regrettably, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, 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 will evaluate your HVAC system, clean important components, and identify minor flaws before they lead to 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 will help with your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs. 

We suggest two HVAC tune ups annually – once in the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of cold weather. 

3. Upgrading Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Unfortunately, like any appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling products are much more efficient than models produced just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Forster Heating can perform professional services such as furnace installation in Auburn.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is approaching 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the unit. According to 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 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 for your needs. For the most part, seek out 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 are some of the most efficient systems available, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to calculate the efficiency of air conditioning systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Forster Heating for air conditioning installation in Auburn. 

 4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

If you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Specific air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home. 

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 effective the filters are. It’s relevant to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually restrict airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to review the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.