The weather in Ahwatukee, Arizona, ranges from the 90s during the summer to the 40s during the winter. When you live here, your air conditioner, heat pump or furnace always operates to cool and heat your home. HVAC costs represent about 50 percent of your utility bill, so it pays to conserve energy. Here are eight ways to save energy and money:
Upgrade Your Insulation
Insulation protects your home from air leaks. It keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. That, in turn, saves on energy costs. Home insulation keeps out unwanted moisture as well as airborne contaminants. It has a muting effect so that sounds from one room aren’t audible throughout the house.
Install a Programmable or Wi-Fi Thermostat
Modern HVAC thermostats and controls can help you save energy. With a programmable device, you can preset the thermostat to switch to your preferred temperature at any given time automatically. You can preselect different temperatures for different days and at different times. Wi-Fi thermostats allow you to connect with your HVAC system remotely. You can turn it off, turn it on or change its programming.
Check out an Air Source Heat Pump
If you’re due for a new air conditioner, consider a heat pump. The savings that heat pumps generate on heating can be up to 40 percent based on your current usage habits. When it comes to cooling, heat pumps are as effective as central air conditioners.
Upgrade to a Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner
You might be one of many homeowners with a relatively new furnace but an ailing air conditioner. If so, a ductless mini-split could be an efficient option. According to industry reports, cooling with a ductless mini-split can save up to 30 percent over central air conditioning. Ductless systems are also good for the environment.
Investigate Geothermal Systems
Geothermal heating and cooling offers the ultimate in energy-efficiency. Look forward to savings of up to 60 percent on heating and up to 50 percent on cooling. The Earth provides the energy, which it receives from the sun. There are no safety issues as there are with furnaces, and there are no greenhouse gasses. The outside unit can last for 50 years, and the system requires minimal maintenance.
Have Your HVAC System Serviced Every Year
Regular maintenance can keep your HVAC system in a like-new condition while keeping its warranty valid. Throughout the year, HVAC equipment collects a thick coating of gunk on its surfaces. Operating the unit without having it cleaned makes it work unnecessarily hard. That decreases its lifespan, drives up your utility bills, interferes with indoor comfort and prevents optimal performance.
Install an Energy-Efficient HVAC Zoning System
With zoning, you no longer have to heat or cool the whole house just to feel comfortable in one room. Instead, you can maintain different temperatures in different rooms. Each zone has a dedicated thermostat that controls conditions in that particular zone. Your savings on air conditioning and heating can be as high as 30 percent.
Look into a High-Efficiency Furnace
Furnaces today are high-efficiency marvels. AFUE ratings go up to 98 percent. That means that you waste only two percent of the fuel you use. Conversely, furnaces built before 1992 with pilot lights are only about 65-percent efficient.
Becoming a greener homeowner is easier than ever. With the right HVAC technologies in your home, you can save energy, money and the environment. Contact REEis Air Conditioning to learn more about our selection of energy-efficient HVAC products. We look forward to transforming your house into the most efficient home on the block.
