4 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to do this is by improving energy efficiency in your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, gives you more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.  

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

 1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat  

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

The function homeowners like the most is being able to access their smart thermostats from wherever with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply use your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.  

Similar to 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 have the capacity to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They can even create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you are using and when so you can make adjustments to reduce costs.  

If you’re curious about 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 

Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, ignoring maintenance could result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean important components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This will lower your energy bills, prolong the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and eventually need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling equipment is much more efficient than equipment manufactured just over a decade ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. can handle professional services like furnace installation in West Jefferson.  

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

 A professional comfort technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment satisfies rigid guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be 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, in the meantime, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling equipment.  

Contact a reputable HVAC provider like West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. for air conditioning installation in West Jefferson. 

 4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are the same. Some air filters are far more efficient than others, resulting in lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air. 

The efficiency of HVAC air filters is scored 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 worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to review the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the best option for your system.