How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving money here and there. An easy way to do so is by making some energy-efficient changes throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your heating and cooling system, leading to a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.  

Read on to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements. 

 1. Look for Smart Home Products Like a Smart Thermostat  

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

The feature homeowners appreciate the most is being able to adjust their smart thermostats from anywhere they want with their smartphone or other smart device. For example, when you forget to use your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply take out your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Similar to 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 spending energy on an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the ability to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They even provide monthly energy reports that show how much energy you've used and when so you can make changes to cut costs.  

If you’re curious about 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. HVAC Tune Ups 

Regrettably, many homeowners often forget to keep their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a problem, ignoring maintenance could result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

With an HVAC maintenance service, a heating and cooling technician should examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance keeps HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This could also help with your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Unfortunately, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and eventually need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling products are much more effective than models manufactured just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Halverson Brothers Inc can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Menomonie and western Wisconsin.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for about 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it is often be a good idea to replace them now to avoid premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s almost always time to replace the unit. As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can 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 HVAC technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. For the most part, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment fulfills strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering 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 efficiency of cooling equipment.  

Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Halverson Brothers Inc for air conditioning installation in Menomonie and western Wisconsin. 

 4. Switch to More High Efficiency Air Filters 

When you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, consider that not all air filters are the same. Specific air filters are far more effective than others, contributing to lower energy bills and a clean home. 

The effectiveness of HVAC air filters is scored 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 relevant to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much according to the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s worthwhile to review the owner’s manual before buying a filter to find the ideal model for your system.