Why Energy Efficiency in HVAC Is Important for Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Here at Service Experts, we believe that it’s vital to do our part to protect the planet. That’s why we’re offering some tips on how you can make your home’s HVAC equipment more energy efficient. 

What Is Earth Day? 

Earth Day is a day to celebrate our planet and raise awareness about the importance of taking care of it. It’s also a day to learn about what we can do to protect the environment. One way we can all help the environment is by making our homes more energy efficient. Did you know that your home’s HVAC system is one the biggest energy users in your home? In fact, according to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for nearly 48% of the energy use in an average American home. 

How can you tell how much energy your HVAC system is currently using? 

One way to learn is to find the SEER rating for your system. SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, illustrates how much energy your system uses to cool your home during the cooling season. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient your system is. For a new air conditioner, the SEER rating has to be at least 13. If you’re looking for an ENERGY STAR®-certified system, the SEER rating will be 14.5 or higher. 

In addition to SEER, you should also find the AFUE rating of your furnace. AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, reveals how much of the fuel your furnace uses is actually turned into heat for your home. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient your furnace is. 

While there is no minimum AFUE rating required by law, most new furnaces have an AFUE rating of 80% or higher. And if you’re searching for an ENERGY STAR-certified furnace, the AFUE rating will be 90% or higher. 

So what can you do to make your HVAC system more energy efficient? 

• Install a smart thermostat: A smart thermostat can save you up to 30% on your heating and cooling bill. 
• Make sure your HVAC system is well maintained: a regular hvac tune-up can increase the efficiency of your system by up to 15%. 
• Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR-certified model: If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, choose one that has the ENERGY STAR label. These models are at least 15% more efficient than other models. Make sure to use certified air conditioning installers when upgrading a new energy saving model. 
• Check on the insulation levels in your attic: Adding insulation in your attic can help decrease the amount of heat that escapes from your home, which means your HVAC system won’t need to work as hard to keep your home comfortable. According to the EPA, properly insulated attics can save you an average of 15% on your energy bill. 
• And finally, don’t forget to change your air filter: A dirty air filter can make your HVAC system work up to 15% harder. This means it’s using more energy and costing you more money. 

How much money can you save by upgrading to a new system? 

The Department of Energy estimates that a new air conditioner with a SEER rating of 16 could save you up to 20% on your cooling costs. If you own an older system with a SEER rating of 10, you could save up to 50%. 

For a new residential furnace replacement, the Department of Energy estimates that an AFUE rating of 90% could save you up to 30% on your heating bill. 

So, on Earth Day, we encourage you to consider ways you can make your home’s HVAC system more energy efficient. Not only will it save you money, but it will also help the environment!