4 Ways to Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. An easy way to accomplish this is by identifying energy inefficiencies around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or adding a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, leading to a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.  

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

 1. Try a Smart Thermostat  

If you still use a round-dial thermostat and access it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which contains numerous features to assist with energy efficiency. 

The feature homeowners appreciate the most is having the ability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to change your thermostat before going on vacation, you can simply use your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables 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 offer the ability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They also generate monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to save money.  

If you’re curious about how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to 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 about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem like a problem, inadequate maintenance will sometimes produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

When performing an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician should examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and identify minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This can reduce your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Regretfully, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than units manufactured just over a decade ago. Luckily, helpful HVAC companies like Miller Climate Control LLC can offer professional services including furnace installation in Georgetown.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last about 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it might be a good idea to replace them now to avoid untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your system is approaching 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 get back some of the costs of installing a new system. 

 A professional heating and cooling technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. As a general rule of thumb, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment satisfies 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 intended for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, meanwhile, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling systems.  

Call a reputable HVAC provider like Miller Climate Control LLC for air conditioning installation in Georgetown. 

 4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Some air filters are far more effective than others, resulting in lower energy bills and a clean home. 

The performance 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 worthwhile 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 review the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the right one for your system.