4 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

We can all benefit from saving a few bucks where we can. An easy way to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes around your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your heating and cooling system, 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. Install a Smart Thermostat  

If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, try 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 enjoy the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from wherever by using their smartphone or other smart device. For example, if you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits 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 heating or cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They even create monthly energy reports that illustrate how much energy you’re using and when so you can make modifications to save money.  

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

2. HVAC Tune Ups 

Unfortunately, many homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance could lead to a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

With an HVAC maintenance service, the technician is going to examine your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they produce 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 could also help with your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

We encourage two HVAC tune ups annually – once during the spring before summer and another in the fall before the arrival of winter weather. 

3. Replacing Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Regretfully, like any appliance, HVAC systems can't run forever and eventually need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling products are much more energy efficient than units produced just over 10 years ago. Thankfully, quality HVAC companies like North Mechanical Heating and Cooling can offer professional services like furnace installation in Payson.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can last around 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that timeframe, it can be a good idea to replace them early to minimize the risk of premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is about 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the unit. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to a new HVAC system can sometimes save you about 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back 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, which means the equipment meets strict guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are some of the most efficient systems on the market, boasting 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 quantify the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Contact a reputable HVAC provider like North Mechanical Heating and Cooling for air conditioning installation in Payson. 

 4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters 

When you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more successful than others, resulting in lower energy bills and cleaner indoor air. 

The efficiency of HVAC air filters is rated 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, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you own. It’s worthwhile to read the owner’s manual before getting a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.