With prices rising day by day, you want to do everything you can to save on your monthly energy bill. Upgrading your current HVAC system to a new, energy-efficient version is a wonderful way to lower these costs. With so many makes and models on the market, finding the perfect HVAC system for your home can seem like a daunting task. While McCrea Plumbing, Heating, and Air can help you with this decision, there are a few things you can research on your own in order to narrow down your options. The following information will help you upgrade your HVAC system and save money on your energy bill.
Upgrade Your HVAC System and Save On Your Energy Bill
Simply upgrading your HVAC system to a newer version will likely save you money. Today’s energy-efficient units can cool your home while using a fraction of the electricity your older system uses. In fact, they save enough energy over time to justify the cost of the upgrade.
Newer energy-efficient HVAC systems do a better job of detecting your home’s temperature. This allows it to more accurately heat and cool without going overboard on energy consumption. Your home will be more comfortable, and you won’t overspend on your energy bill.
There are other ways this new system will save you money too. You may notice that your older unit needs more frequent repairs. It may also be hard to find parts for it. Your upgraded model will need fewer repairs, and if it does need a new part, there’ll be a large selection of OEM parts available.
Save Even More with a New Thermostat
The less time your HVAC system spends maintaining the temperature in an empty house, the more energy you’ll save. You can do this by having us install a programmable or smart thermostat that reduces energy consumption.
Programmable thermostats automatically raise and lower the settings according to a schedule that you program. Some versions have seven-day programming that allows you to customize each day’s setting, while others work on a day-to-day basis. These programmable thermostats allow you to minimize the amount of strain on your HVAC system when there’s no one in the home.
Home automation has become incredibly popular, and HVAC manufacturers understand this. They design their systems to work with smart tools that will help you save energy. It is estimated that at least 58 percent of homes will have at least one smart device within the next couple of years. A smart thermostat is more advanced than a programmable one. They allow you to control your home’s temperature from a smartphone.
Government Incentives
If lowering your energy bill isn’t enough of an incentive for upgrading your HVAC system, consider the cash incentives offered by some state governments. You’ll get your rebate as a check in the mail. All you have to do is send your proof of purchase of an approved system to your state’s energy department.
If you’re wondering why these programs exist, it involves the rapid population growth in certain areas of the United States. Cities have a hard time investing in their energy grid in order to provide adequate power to homes and businesses. When you install an energy-efficient HVAC system, the government wants to reward you for using less energy.
How to Choose the Most Energy-Efficient HVAC System
When choosing an HVAC system that will lower your energy usage, you need to know how to pick the best one. Fortunately, the efficiency of these systems is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). This rating allows you to compare operating costs among all available systems. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient it is. When trying to decide between two systems that are the same size, choose the one with the highest SEER. You’ll find this rating on the HVAC’s Energy Guide Label.
The SEER rating is a ratio of the unit’s cooling output to the total energy used. All residential cooling systems are required to have a minimum SEER rating of 13. It’s been that way since 2006. This has made all modern systems at least 30 percent more efficient than units designed in the early 1990s or before. If you look for an Energy Star cooling system, the SEER will be 14.5 or higher.
As of January 1, 2023, the federal government requires manufacturers to ascribe each unit a SEER2 rating. Minimum ratings depend on the region in which you live. For Indiana residents, the minimum SEER2 rating is 13.4, which translates to a SEER rating of 14.
Additional Ways to Lower Energy Bills
One of the best ways to ensure a lower energy bill is to schedule routine maintenance visits. After installing your new HVAC system, you should invest in regular maintenance visits. We can clean and inspect the system and make any necessary repairs. This keeps the system performing at its most energy-efficient level.
In the meantime, there are things you can do yourself. Begin by checking your windows. You can lose a lot of air through older windows. This doesn’t mean that you need to replace all your windows. Instead, caulk around all the immobile parts of each window to prevent gaps. Use weather stripping around the portions that do move.
Next, add window treatments. Drapes, curtains, and blinds add an extra layer of insulation to windows. Close drapes and blinds during the warmer months to help keep cool air inside. When winter arrives, keep them open to let the warmth of the sun in.
You can add insulation for the most energy savings. The EPA estimates that homeowners can save up to 15 percent on their energy bills by making sure their home is adequately insulated. Be sure to pay particular attention to the attic, floors above crawl spaces, and the joists in the basement.
Finally, don’t block your air vents. Keep them clean by vacuuming them regularly. If you have air vents along the walls of your home, be sure that you don’t set furniture on top of them or in front of them. Also, don’t hang curtains that touch the floor over these vents.
Let Us Help
McCrea Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has been serving Payette and the surrounding areas since 1945 by offering HVAC services that will keep your home comfortable all year long. Our team of plumbers and qualified technicians can help you find the right energy-efficient system to suit your needs. We also help you with installation, repairs, and maintenance. In addition to heating and cooling, we offer assistance with heat pumps, mini splits, pipe repair, and water heaters. We do duct sealing to boost your energy efficiency, and we can improve your indoor air quality with IAQ products. When it comes to plumbing services, we’ll do everything from fixing clogged drains to replumbing your whole house. Contact McCrea Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling today for all your HVAC needs and more.