How to Save on Energy Not Comfort with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems
Your HVAC system is an important element of your home. In the winter, it works hard to create a warm and comfortable space for your family, and in the summer, it provides a cool oasis from the sun’s heat. Even though it’s necessary to have, it can end up costing you more than you’d like and using more energy than it needs to. So what can you do to save energy?
Many Americans are spending more money because their HVAC systems are working overtime. When your HVAC is energy-efficient, it only expends as much energy as it needs to in order to produce the desired optimal effects. When it doesn’t have to work as hard during milder months, you can see a clear difference in your bills. Your home heating and air-conditioning unit is probably the largest energy expense you have in your home, accounting for up to 45 percent of the energy bill for the average American family. So investing in a more energy-efficient HVAC system could decrease that number substantially.
You don’t have to worry about giving up comfort to save on energy if you’re using a more energy-efficient HVAC system, however. Having a more efficient system is a great way to keep your home at the temperature you like without being wasteful. Entek has been servicing HVAC systems for over 70 years in the Vancouver, WA, area. We know the best ways to maintain your comfort levels while cutting back on energy. Here are a few options for energy-efficient HVAC systems that could save you on cost and energy in the future.
Ductless HVAC Systems
If you have an HVAC system currently, you know how important your ducts are. But the typical ductwork in most homes can lose up to 40 percent of the heating and cooling generated due to leakage. You can always have your ducts professionally sealed, or you can get rid of the ducts altogether in favor of a newer system.
A ductless HVAC system is a great upgrade option for people who are currently using wood stoves, wall or ceiling units, or more typical HVAC systems. This smaller option is incredibly easy to install, and it doesn’t take up as much room as some other heating and cooling systems. Plus, its Whisper Quiet technology allows the indoor units to keep the noise level to an absolute minimum.
When it comes to energy-efficiency, ductless HVAC systems can save you big. And due to the elimination of the ducts and improved efficiency of the newer equipment, your energy costs could drop by up to 70 percent. You won’t have to worry about any air being lost through the ducts, and your new system won’t have to work harder to make up for lost air. This is definitely an investment that can provide a lot of long-term financial and energy savings.
With the help of Entek, upgrading to a ductless heating and cooling system can be simple and affordable. Utility incentives, rebates, and tax credits may all be available to you. Let Entek help you to start saving on energy today by calculating your return on this investment.
High-Efficiency Furnace
As the cost of gas and oil continue to rise, switching to a high-efficiency furnace may be a smart choice for the future. Today, a high-efficiency furnace can let you use 30 percent less fuel and energy than an older furnace. With an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) of over 90 percent, a high-efficiency furnace could be a great step toward saving more on energy in your home.
High-efficiency furnaces are often condensing furnaces, which is why they save so much energy. A condensing furnace can utilize a second heating strategy by extracting it from exhaust gasses that would normally be wasted with a traditional furnace. With less fuel and without doing more work, a high-efficiency furnace is able to get more heat into your home. Its ability to do more with less is why high-efficiency furnaces are one of the most energy-efficient options when it comes to home heating and cooling.
Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat can help you save on energy by giving you more control of when you’re using your HVAC system. With this technology, the temperature of your home can be detected and adjusted to your particular preferences and set to a schedule that works for you. You’ll minimize the wear and tear of your HVAC system while increasing its energy-efficiency.
Programmable thermostats allow you to set timers for the heating and cooling in your home so that you are only using the system when it’s most necessary. So without having to always manually change the setting on your HVAC system, you can have it turn off or change the temperature during the hours that your family isn’t in the house. You can also set it up so that it turns on or up just before you’re scheduled to arrive home each day so you’re never missing out on comfort. Instead, you’re saving yourself a lot on energy costs. Dropping the temperature just 10 degrees while you’re sleeping or out of the house can decrease your energy costs by 10 to 20 percent. And not running the machine at all hours of the day can help it to save that energy and expands its life expectancy.
This isn’t only an energy-saving investment, but it’s also an investment toward a more convenient way of heating and cooling your home. And what’s more convenient than having 24-hour access to your home’s heating and cooling? A great feature of programmable thermostats is that they’re often Wi-Fi enabled, meaning you have control of your heating and cooling so long as you can access the internet.
Maintenance
These energy-efficient HVAC systems can help you save on energy while not compromising on comfort. But even the most advanced HVAC system needs to be well-maintained in order to continue to run smoothly. Regular maintenance is essential to the well-being of your HVAC and is easy to have done. Professionals, like us at Entek, are able to clean your ducts, install better insulation, and install window upgrades to make sure the work that your HVAC is doing isn’t going to waste. Schedule your regular maintenance with Entek to keep your home at the perfect temperature throughout all seasons.
