Here's How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

We can all benefit from saving money where we can. An easy way to do this is by identifying energy inefficiencies throughout your home. Upgrading your HVAC system or adding 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.  

Continue below to learn about 4 ways you can make energy-efficient home improvements. 

 1. Use 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 contains numerous features to assist with energy efficiency. 

The functionality homeowners enjoy the most is having the capability to access their smart thermostats from anywhere through their smartphone or other smart device. As an example, if you forget to adjust your thermostat before going on vacation, you can simply take out your smartphone and make the necessary adjustment.  

Similar to a programmable thermostat, a smart thermostat permits you to set up a schedule for your home’s temperature based on the time of day and day of the week so you’re not cooling or heating an empty house. Smart thermostats also offer the ability to watch your temperature preferences over time and automatically make energy-efficient modifications. They can 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 wanting to know how to get a free smart thermostat, ask your utility company to find out if there are any discounts or free smart thermostats offered. 

2. HVAC Tune Ups 

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

When performing an HVAC maintenance service, the technician is going to evaluate your HVAC system, clean necessary components, and identify minor problems before they lead to bigger, more expensive repair issues. Tune ups keep HVAC systems running in optimal condition, which means less energy is used to heat and cool your home. This can lower your energy bills, increase the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and contribute to fewer repairs. 

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

3. Upgrading Your Old, Inefficient HVAC Equipment 

Annoyingly, like all appliances, HVAC systems can't run forever and inevitably need to be replaced. New heaters and cooling equipment is much more energy efficient than equipment produced just over a decade ago. Luckily, quality HVAC companies like Kapaun & Brown can offer professional services like furnace installation in Marshalltown.  

Well-maintained furnaces and air conditioners can live about 15-20 years. If the equipment is within that span, it might be a good idea to replace them ahead of time to prevent premature equipment failures that can leave you cold and uncomfortable if it’s a cold winter night. If your equipment is around 15 years old and requires an expensive repair, it’s definitely time to replace the system. As reported by 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 buying a new system. 

 A professional heating and cooling technician can help you identify the most energy efficient HVAC system available. As a general rule of thumb, seek out HVAC systems that are Energy Star certified, meaning the equipment satisfies strict guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. LENNOX HVAC systems are often some of the most efficient systems around, offering 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 measure the energy efficiency of cooling systems.  

Contact a reputable HVAC provider like Kapaun & Brown for air conditioning installation in Marshalltown. 

 4. Switch to More Energy-Efficient Air Filters 

The next time you’re shopping for new HVAC filters, keep in mind that not all air filters are created equally. Some air filters are far more successful than others, leading 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 efficient the filters are. It’s important to note, though, that high-efficiency air filters can sometimes impede airflow too much depending on the type of HVAC system you own. It’s important to read the owner’s manual before purchasing a filter to find the best option for your system.