How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving money here and there. An easy way to accomplish this is by improving energy efficiency around your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your heating and cooling system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and savings on your monthly energy bills.  

Continue below to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home changes. 

 1. Look for a Smart Thermostat  

If you still use a round-dial thermostat and adjust it manually, consider 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 like the most is having the ability to control their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. For example, if you forget to change your thermostat before leaving for vacation, you can easily pull out your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to schedule 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 have the capacity to learn your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient corrections. They even generate 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 get a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to see if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you. 

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Sadly, lots of homeowners often forget to have their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this does not seem like a huge deal, inadequate maintenance can result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

During an HVAC maintenance service, the technician should examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and pinpoint minor flaws before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems functioning at optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This can lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

We suggest two HVAC tune ups each year – once during the spring before summer and another during the fall before the arrival of winter weather. 

3. Replacing Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like every appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Newer heaters and cooling systems are much more effective than equipment produced just over 10 years ago. Fortunately, helpful HVAC companies like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning can perform professional services including furnace installation in Mission Viejo.  

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 ahead of time to minimize the risk of untimely breakdowns that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace it. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, upgrading to 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 heating and cooling technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. In general, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, indicating the equipment meets firm guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems on the market, offering both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is used for heating systems and illustrates how well they convert fuel to heat. SEER, on the other hand, is used to quantify the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation in Mission Viejo. 

 4. Use High Efficiency Air Filters 

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

The performance 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 impede airflow too much based on the type of HVAC system you installed. It’s beneficial to review the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the best option for your system.