Since heating and cooling substantially impact your monthly expenses, ensuring that your HVAC system runs as efficiently as possible isn’t just about comfort. It is also a smart financial move. Implementing upgrades can help you reduce costs and optimize your system’s performance. Here are five of the most effective HVAC upgrades to help you save energy while enhancing your home’s comfort.
1. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Your thermostat is the command center of your HVAC system. It signals your system when to start, how much heating or cooling to deliver, and when to shut off. Investing in a smart thermostat gives you greater control over this process, allowing your HVAC system to operate more efficiently.
Smart thermostats leverage advanced technology, such as machine learning algorithms and WI-FI connectivity, to offer greater automation and control. They allow homeowners to remotely manage and program their HVAC system via web interfaces or phone apps, learn behaviors and schedules, and adapt the system’s operation accordingly.
Many models also incorporate a technology known as geofencing. This tool uses GPS in your phone to determine your location relative to your house. When it detects that you and your family are heading off to school or work, the system adjusts the temperature to save energy while no one is home. Conversely, as family members approach your home at the end of the day, the smart thermostat adjusts the temperature so your house is comfortable when they arrive.
Another amazing feature is that your smart thermostat will provide your system’s energy usage data over a set period. You can use this information to make informed decisions about how you can adjust your habits to optimize energy efficiency. This information can also help you identify problematic areas within your home that may need an insulation upgrade.
You can’t just buy any kind of thermostat and install it for your system. It may not work correctly. There are several crucial factors that you must take into account. The first is compatibility. You should ensure that your system works the thermostat you are getting. For instance, if your system doesn’t have the C-wire that smart thermostats need for continuous power, you may have a problem.
The second factor to consider is the features that come with the smart thermostat you are considering. An excellent smart thermostat should have convenient remote access features for seamless integration with modern living, energy-saving mode capabilities, and an easy-to-read display. You can also find models that monitor indoor air quality and the humidity level in your home.
2. Upgrade to a Zoned Heating and Cooling System
Upgrading to a zoned heating and cooling system can lead to significant energy savings. Zoning allows you to control the temperature in different areas of your home independently. For example, if no one is using your guest room or another space, you can avoid heating or cooling that area, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. In a two-story home, you can set separate temperatures for upstairs and downstairs, so you can lower the heating for the downstairs area at night when everyone is sleeping upstairs. This targeted approach reduces energy waste and helps lower your utility bills.
Zoned systems work by using dampers installed within your ductwork. They control the airflow to different areas of your home. When you want to direct conditioned air to a specific zone, the dampers open, allowing air to flow into that space while closing off ducts to areas that don’t need heating or cooling. This method ensures that your HVAC system only conditions the spaces you use.
Zoning also reduces wear and tear on your HVAC system, as it doesn’t need to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home. As a result, your system experiences fewer breakdowns, lasts longer, and consumes less energy overall.
3. Optimize Your Ductwork
Poorly insulated, clogged, or leaky ductwork accounts for significant energy losses inside a home. Homeowners can lose up to 20% of their heating or cooling through faults in their forced air systems. Poorly insulated and leaky ducts allow heat to transfer between the conditioned air and the surrounding unconditioned spaces, like crawl spaces and attics.
Experts recommend having your ducts cleaned every three to five years. If it has been a while since you hired a professional to perform this service, making this appointment is a great way to increase your HVAC system efficiency. They use specialized equipment, including powerful vacuums, to remove clogs and debris from your ducts.
Another benefit of duct cleaning is that it gives your technician an opportunity to inspect your ductwork for faults, such as gaps or lack of insulation in key areas. After the cleaning, they will inform you about any issues and make recommendations on how to fix them.
4. Incoporate Humidity Control
The amount of moisture in your air directly impacts the efficiency of your HVAC system as well as your overall comfort and well-being. When the air is dry in winter, a whole-home humidifier can improve your system’s efficiency because moisture holds heat for longer. You won’t need to crank up your temperature settings to feel warm and cozy, leading to potential savings on energy bills.
Alternatively, a dehumidifier can significantly improve your air conditioner’s efficiency when humidity levels rise in the summer. It reduces the overall workload on your AC by removing excess moisture from the air. Humid air holds more heat, meaning your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your home. In addition, when a dehumidifier runs, your home’s air becomes lighter and easier to cool, allowing your air conditioner to reach the desired temperature faster.
5. Change Your Air Filters
While not a HVAC upgrade, air filters prevent dirt and debris from entering your heating or cooling system and damaging its internal components. They also play an essential role in maintaining indoor air quality by capturing airborne contaminants that would otherwise recirculate through your living spaces. However, they limit the airflow through your heating or cooling system when they become clogged. This can cause a host of issues, including making your system work harder to heat or cool your home.
Experts recommend replacing HVAC filters at least every three months. However, you may have to change yours out more often based on factors like how many people live in your household and if you have pets. Additionally, if you use high-quality filters because a family member has respiratory issues, they usually need to be replaced more often because they capture more airborne particulate matter. Many homeowners check their filters once a month to ensure they know when it is time to swap them out.
Contact Your Local Professionals
At Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas, we have served our customers in Nanaimo, BC and the surrounding areas for years. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. In addition, we are expert plumbers who offer drain cleaning, repiping, and leak detection services. We can also help with your indoor air quality needs by installing whole-home humidity control or an air purification system. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our talented team members.
