Here's How to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides 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 about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes. 

 1. Try Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat  

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

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

Like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat allows you to schedule your home’s temperature determined by the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capacity to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even generate monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make adjustments to reduce costs.  

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

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Regrettably, many homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this may not seem important, a lack of maintenance will sometimes lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

With an HVAC maintenance service, your technician should examine your HVAC system, clean important components, and catch minor flaws before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This will reduce your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Unfortunately, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and eventually need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than models produced just over a decade ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like JW Brager Heating and Cooling can perform professional services including furnace installation in Mount Horeb.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If your system is within that timeframe, it is often be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of premature equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is around 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. According to 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 buying a new system. 

 A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems available, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is intended for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to calculate the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like JW Brager Heating and Cooling for air conditioning installation in Mount Horeb. 

 4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters 

If you’re looking for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Certain air filters are far more efficient than others, contributing to lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air. 

The performance of HVAC air filters is illustrated 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 sometimes obstruct airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the right one for your system.