How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving money where we can. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency in your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your HVAC system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.  

Continue below to learn more about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements. 

 1. Use Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat  

If you still use an older thermostat and access it manually, try taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which comes with several features to improve your home's energy efficiency. 

The functionality homeowners like the most is having the capability to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want through their smartphone or other smart device. For example, in situations where you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

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 spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They also provide monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make adjustments to cut costs.  

If you’re curious about how to secure a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered. 

2. HVAC Tune Ups 

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

During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and catch minor flaws before they create 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 can help with 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 again during the fall before the arrival of cold weather. 

3. Replacing Your Aging, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like any appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling products are much more efficient than equipment sold just over a decade ago. Thankfully, local HVAC companies like H & H Service Company can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Mechanicsburg.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live around 15-20 years. If your systems are within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the system. 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 recoup some of the costs of installing a new system. 

 A professional comfort technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, which means the equipment meets strict guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems available, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and measures how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to quantify the efficiency of cooling equipment.  

Call a reputable HVAC provider like H & H Service Company for air conditioning installation in Mechanicsburg. 

 4. Look for Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more effective than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home. 

The performance 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 effective the filters are. It’s worthwhile to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact restrict airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the right one for your system.