Here's How to Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving money from time to time. One of the easiest ways to do this is by making some energy-efficient changes throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC equipment, leading 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, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with a number of features to improve your home's energy efficiency. 

The feature homeowners like the most is being able to control their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can easily use your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables 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 cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the ability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They also create monthly energy reports that show how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to cut costs.  

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

2. Routine HVAC Maintenance 

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

During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will inspect your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and identify minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps 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 recommend two HVAC tune ups annually – once during the spring before summer and one in the fall before the arrival of winter weather. 

3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Unfortunately, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and eventually need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling systems are much more efficient than equipment sold just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like Comfort Zone, LLC can handle professional services including furnace installation in Cape Coral.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last about 15-20 years. If your system is within that span, it can be a good idea to replace them early to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the system. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can 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 comfort technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills rigid guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems around, featuring 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 energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.  

Call a reputable HVAC provider like Comfort Zone, LLC for air conditioning installation in Cape Coral. 

 4. Look for High Efficiency Air Filters 

The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more effective than others, leading 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 between 1-20; the higher the number, the more efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can actually obstruct airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the right one for your system.