How You Can Help Increase Energy Efficiency at Home

We can all benefit from saving a few bucks where we can. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is by making some energy-efficient changes in your home. Upgrading your HVAC equipment or putting in a smart thermostat, for example, offers more control over your heating and cooling system, resulting in a more energy-efficient home and lower monthly energy bills.  

Keep reading to read about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home enhancements. 

 1. Use Smart Home Products Like 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 contains several features to assist with energy efficiency. 

The function homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to control their smart thermostats from wherever through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, when you forget to change your thermostat before going on vacation, you can just use your smartphone and make the adjustments.  

Just like a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat enables 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 cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the capability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They also provide monthly energy reports that demonstrate how much energy you've used and when so you can make modifications to reduce costs.  

If you’re wanting to know how to obtain a free smart thermostat, talk to your utility company to learn if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats available. 

2. Regularly Scheduled Tune-Ups for Your HVAC System 

Unfortunately, lots of homeowners often forget about having their heating and cooling systems maintained. While this might not seem like a huge deal, a lack of maintenance will sometimes result in a number of issues, including inefficiency, breakdowns, and a shorter system lifespan. 

With an HVAC maintenance service, the technician will examine your HVAC system, clean key components, and catch minor issues before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Maintenance can keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means they use less energy to heat and cool your home. This can reduce your energy bills, expand the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and lead to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Worn-Down, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like any appliance, HVAC systems have a shelf life and inevitably need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling systems are much more effective than units sold just over a decade ago. Fortunately, quality HVAC companies like Vogts Heating & Air can handle professional services such as furnace installation in Pocatello.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live approximately 15-20 years. If your systems are within that timeframe, it can be a good idea to replace them now to minimize the risk of untimely equipment failure that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your HVAC system is approaching 15 years old and needs an expensive repair, it’s usually time to replace the unit. Per 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 get back some of the costs of buying a new system. 

 A professional HVAC technician can help you find the most energy efficient HVAC system for your needs. As a general rule of thumb, try to find HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment satisfies strict guidelines made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems can be some of the most efficient systems on the market, boasting both high AFUE and SEER ratings. AFUE is 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.  

Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Vogts Heating & Air for air conditioning installation in Pocatello. 

 4. Use Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

When you’re looking for new HVAC filters, remember that not all air filters are the same. 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 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, however, that high-efficiency air filters can in fact impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s beneficial to study the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to determine the ideal model for your system.