Making environmentally friendly energy upgrades to your Brooksville, Florida, home may seem a little costly in the beginning, but it saves you money in the long run. Upgrading your HVAC system, thermostat, and lighting can lower the energy costs and add to the comfort of your home. It also gives you a sense of satisfaction to have contributed your bit to help the environment. Here are three simple energy upgrades to get you started.
More Efficient HVAC System
If your air conditioner or heating system is over 10 years old, does not function properly, needs frequent repairs, and drives up your energy bill, it may be time to upgrade your equipment. The heating and cooling systems today are more energy-efficient than the models available back when you bought your old equipment. Federal energy efficiency requirements in Florida mandate that the new unit you buy has a minimum SEER rating of 14. However, there are models up to SEER 24.5. The higher SEER value you opt for, the more savings you’ll see in your energy bills.
Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can substantially bring down costs, especially if your home remains unoccupied for more than four hours a day. It allows you to reset your thermostat to higher temperatures for times when you are asleep or not at home. You can also program it to turn on and off your HVAC system at preset schedules. This minimizes discomfort by automatically bringing your home to preset temperatures when you wake up or return home.
CFL and Low-Energy Lighting
Energy consumption by light bulbs cost more than the bulbs themselves. Replacing the incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, can save you almost three-fourths of energy used in lighting your home. Moreover, switching over to CFL is one of the most affordable upgrades you can make. If you do not want to upgrade all the light bulbs at a time, consider replacing the higher-wattage bulbs that you use the most.
If you are looking to upgrade your AC, furnace, or any component of your HVAC system, Senica Air Conditioning, Inc. can help you identify and install the most efficient system for optimal performance. Call us at 866-881-5935.
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