How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving a few bucks here and there. One of the easiest ways to do so is by improving energy efficiency throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers 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 improvements. 

 1. Try 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 several features to make your home more energy efficient. 

The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere through their smartphone or other smart device. For instance, when you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can easily take out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.  

Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also have the ability to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They also create monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make adjustments to cut costs.  

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

2. Routine HVAC Maintenance 

Sadly, some homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem important, ignoring maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should evaluate your HVAC system, clean key components, and catch minor issues before they produce bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems running in 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 contribute to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Getting rid of Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems don't last forever and ultimately need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than units sold just over a decade ago. Thankfully, helpful HVAC companies like Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Haines City.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last around 15-20 years. If your system is within that timeframe, it is often be a good idea to replace them now to prevent untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system could save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll recoup some of the costs of putting in a new system. 

 A professional heating and cooling technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. As a general rule of thumb, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment satisfies strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems available, featuring both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, in the meantime, is used to measure the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Air Commander's Heating & Air Conditioning Co. for air conditioning installation in Haines City. 

 4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

The next time you’re searching for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Certain air filters are far more effective than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home. 

The effectiveness 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 relevant to note, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.