Why Energy Efficiency in HVAC Is Important for Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Here at Service Experts, we believe that it’s important 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 the environment and increase awareness about the importance of protecting it. It’s also a day to find out more about what we can do for the environment. One way we can all help the environment is by improving our homes’ energy efficiency. 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 around 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 tell is to find the SEER rating for your system. SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, illustrates how much energy your system used 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 needs 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 can also check the AFUE rating of your furnace. AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of how much of the fuel your furnace used is actually converted 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 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 may help save you up to 30% on your heating and cooling bill. 
• Make sure your HVAC system is well maintained: a routine hvac tune-up can increase the efficiency of your system by up to 15%. 
• Choose an ENERGY STAR-certified model: If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, look for one that has the ENERGY STAR label. These models are at least 15% more efficient than other models. Don’t forget to use certified air conditioning installers when upgrading a new system or unit. 
• 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 need to work as hard to keep your home comfortable. According to the EPA, well insulated attics can save you around of 15% on your energy bill. 
• And finally, 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 own an older system with a SEER rating of 10, you can 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 invite 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 protect the environment!