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 sharing 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 caring for it. It’s also a day to learn about what we can do for 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 about 48% of the energy use in a typical American home. 

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

One way to tell is to find the SEER rating of your system. SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, illustrates how much energy your system uses to cool your home across 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 model, the SEER rating must be 14.5 or higher. 

In addition to SEER, you can also look at 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 not a minimum AFUE rating required by law, most new furnaces have an AFUE rating of 80% or higher. And if you’re looking 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 may help 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%. 
• Find 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 standard models. Don’t forget to use certified air conditioning installers when replacing a new model. 
• Review the insulation levels in your attic: Adequate insulation in your attic can help lower the amount of heat that escapes from your home, which means your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable. According to the EPA, properly insulated attics can save you around of 15% on your energy bill. 
• And lastly, remember to change your air filter: A dirty air filter can make your HVAC system work up to 15% harder. This means it’s sucking up more energy and costing you more money. 

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

The Department of Energy suggests that a new air conditioner with a SEER rating of 16 could save you up to 20% on your cooling costs. If you use 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% may save you up to 30% on your heating bill. 

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