With the celebration of Earth Day a short time ago and spring cleaning on the minds of many homeowners, it’s the perfect time to make homes more earth-friendly and energy efficient. The fact is, with only a few small, economical changes, homeowners could be on their way to saving 20% or more on monthly energy bills. Here, the home-efficiency gurus from share tips on how to start saving today.
A smart thermostat usually saves between 12% to 23% on an electricity bill, and it’s also a great tool to cut down on carbon emissions from a household. How is that possible? Smart thermostats provide more functions than simply programming the time of day for the system to turn on or off. Several smart thermostats are intuitive and can detect changes in energy usage patterns and home activity. They can also be programmed while you are away via an app, and notify homeowners about changes that may impact their energy bill.
“This technology saves you money and also makes life easier,” said Service Experts’ Lisa Lange. “It’s a low-cost way to improve energy efficiency in your home immediately.”
Before the summer heat hits, another eco-friendly move is to set up routine maintenance for your air-conditioning system. Routine maintenance will help homeowners avoid significant repairs during the busy season for HVAC technicians and a system that performs optimally minimizes reliance on fossil fuel energy sources.
A tune-up involves cleaning all of the system’s key components, as well as testing and making adjustments to the unit’s operating system. In addition to checking refrigerant levels and replacing clogged or dirty air filters, the outdoor condenser should also be cleaned and inspected.
“During your tune-up, it’s a great time to tap the expertise of an HVAC pro,” explained Lisa Lange. “We encourage customers to ask about thermostat settings, when to change air filters and bring any other questions they may have about the energy efficiency of their home.”
Installing insulation in a home is an eco-friendly tip that could help save up to 20% on a utility bill. In many residences, air leaks out through attics, crawl spaces and basements. If a room is drafty and has problems keeping a consistent temperature, it may be time to examine the building’s attic insulation. Cold floors might also be a sign that basement insulation isn’t at the level you really need. All of these worries also lead to additional energy consumption, which leads to more carbon emissions.
“Many homeowners are surprised when they learn their home is under-insulated, but it’s actually quite common,” said Lange. “The good news is that, just like a smart thermostat, you can see the utility cost savings from this decision very quickly. You will also take comfort in knowing that you are helping improve our environment through reduced emissions.
Windows, ductwork, light sockets and weather stripping around doors are all places in the home susceptible to leaks and heat loss or gain (in summer, no one wants muggy air seeping in). Let Earth Day be a signal to green up these areas of the house by embarking on some simple repairs. Upgrading old weather stripping and caulking around windows are two low-cost tasks that are fairly easy to tackle, said Lange, and will reduce the burden on HVAC systems and the electrical grid too.
To formulate a comfort zoning system for a home, a certified HVAC professional identifies areas in a house based on its layout, sun exposures and the amount of energy demand different areas need. The HVAC pro can then design a system that correctly distributes air throughout the home weighing comfort and energy efficiency. These systems often use numerous thermostats and adjustments to the ductwork. When joined with a smart thermostat, they can substantially improve comfort, save customers more than 30% on their energy bill and seriously reduce a home’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“How many times in a day do we heat or cool a room no one is using? It happens all the time, and it adds up to significant energy waste, and these systems are an optimal solution,” Lange said.
If a homeowner’s spending plan doesn’t allow for major upgrades, replacing regular incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs is a low-cost eco-friendly decision with a big impact on the environment. Many LEDs will last up to seven years and use about 90% less electricity than traditional bulbs.
With up to 30% in federal tax credits available to bring down the price of a solar installation, there may never be a better time to install one on a home. Over their lifetime, these quality energy-producing systems can produce an average savings of about $60,000 and greatly reduce a household’s overall carbon footprint.
“We have the best program in the country. Our experts will develop an energy savings plan that will help you get the most out of your system and show you’re making a direct positive impact on the environment,” Lange said.
For additional information about how to make a home more energy efficient, visit Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.
The conventional path of going to college after high school doesn’t suit everyone. If you’re eager to start a career, particularly in a skilled trade like heating and air conditioning, you might be looking for alternatives that provide financial security and room for professional... Continue reading
Recently, we have seen several news stories regarding the potential ban of gas stoves used for cooking. So why is a heating, air conditioning and plumbing company talking about gas stoves? More on that question later! To begin with, we wanted to try and cut through the hype, confusion and... Continue reading
You have likely heard that installing a programmable thermostat can reduce your heating and cooling costs. While this is certainly true, you don’t instantly save just by replacing your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To make the most of your savings, you must select, set up and use... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
