How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. An easy way to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, contributing to 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. Use 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 comes with numerous features to assist with energy efficiency. 

The function homeowners enjoy the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere by using their smartphone or other smart device. For example, if you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can just pull out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.  

Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature according to the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the capacity to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They even generate monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.  

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

2. Routine HVAC Maintenance 

Unfortunately, some homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, a lack of maintenance could produce a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician should examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and catch minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems working at 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 encourage two HVAC tune ups every year – one during the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of cold weather. 

3. Getting rid of Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Regretfully, like every appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than units produced just over a decade ago. Luckily, quality HVAC companies like Bell Mechanical Services can handle professional services such as furnace installation in McKinney and Frisco.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for around 15-20 years. If your systems are within that period of time, it might be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system could 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 HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system available. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment meets strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems available, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to measure the efficiency of cooling equipment.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Bell Mechanical Services for air conditioning installation in McKinney and Frisco. 

 4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters 

The next time you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more effective than others, leading to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air. 

The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is rated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The MERV scale ranges from 1-20; the higher the number, the more efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you have. It’s worthwhile to review the owner’s manual before buying a filter to determine the right one for your system.