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 identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, provides more control over your HVAC equipment, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.  

Read on to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements. 

 1. Look for a Smart Thermostat  

If you still use a round-dial thermostat and control it manually, think about taking a step toward the future by installing a smart, or Wi-Fi, thermostat – which includes numerous features to make your home more energy efficient. 

The function homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, in situations where you forget to adjust your thermostat before taking a vacation, you can simply pull out your smartphone and make any needed adjustments.  

Like 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 cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also feature the capacity to understand your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient adjustments. They can even generate monthly energy reports that show how much energy you’re using and when so you can make changes to reduce costs.  

If you’re curious about how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available to you. 

2. HVAC Tune Ups 

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

During an HVAC maintenance service, your technician will inspect your HVAC system, clean key components, and pinpoint minor problems before they create bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems working at optimal condition, which means less energy is needed to heat and cool your home. This could also reduce your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Regretfully, like any appliance, HVAC systems don't last forever and inevitably need to be replaced. Modern heaters and cooling equipment is much more effective than models sold just over a decade ago. Fortunately, local HVAC companies like Just Komfort Heating & Cooling can offer professional services including furnace installation in Redmond.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can run for approximately 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it might be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to minimize the risk of premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable on a cold winter night. If your equipment is about 15 years old and has a problem that needs an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the unit. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a new HVAC system can sometimes save you between 20-40% on your monthly energy bills, so you’ll get back some of the costs of installing a new system. 

 A professional HVAC technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system on the market. For the most part, look for HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment fulfills firm guidelines set forth 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, on the other hand, is used to quantify the efficiency of cooling systems.  

Get in touch with a reputable HVAC provider like Just Komfort Heating & Cooling for air conditioning installation in Redmond. 

 4. Switch to More Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

The next time you’re searching for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are capable of providing the same results. Specific air filters are far more successful 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 from 1-20; the higher the number, the more effective 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 own. It’s important to study the owner’s manual before getting a filter to find the right one for your system.