Energy efficiency is an important issue for any homeowner. Not only does your home energy efficiency rating impact your energy bills fairly substantially, but there can even be rebates and other discounts that you can take advantage of on HVAC equipment for increasing energy efficiency. So there are a lot of ways to save by considering how your home energy efficiency rating is impacted by your HVAC system. Some air conditioners for instance offer additional features that help you maintain lower energy usage while still getting the cooling power you need from your AC.
Your heating & air conditioning professionals at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis can help you learn more about your HVAC system and asses its efficiency, but there are also a few things you can do to see how efficient your home HVAC system is now.
What is a Home Energy Efficiency Rating?
A lot goes into your home energy efficiency rating. Not only does your HVAC system itself play a big role in how energy efficient your home is, additional factors, like how well your home is sealed can impact your energy efficiency rating too. Leaks are one of the most common causes of lower energy efficiency. To assess your home, check for leaks around doors, windows, electrical outlets, and anywhere there is a potential for gaps and cracks leading outside the house. Similarly, ductwork can frequently develop leaks, so check ducts and vents for issues as well. Smaller holes and gaps can be sealed with mastic sealant or metal tape, while bigger issues should be handled by an HVAC professional.
Next, you will want to assess your home’s insulation and make sure it has not settled or deteriorated too much. Insulation can have a big effect on your home energy efficiency rating, and many homes are not properly insulated or are missing insulation in key energy loss areas like the attic. Proper attic insulation is one big way to improve your home efficiency rating, and it will help your HVAC system run more smoothly as well. From there, a professional can help you identify any additional changes you could make to boost your home energy efficiency rating.
Get a Professional HVAC Evaluation
In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency uses the HERS index which measures overall efficiency as a home energy efficiency rating. While this rating can be loosely estimated by assessing your insulation, HVAC functionality, and any leaks, getting an exact score can be trickier. For that, you should contact your trusted HVAC service in St. Louis or the surrounding area to perform an assessment for you.
A professional team will also be able to identify any issues with your HVAC system beyond the obvious leaks and gaps, and issues like dirty air filters. While these smaller problems can significantly impact your home energy efficiency rating if left unaddressed, there is more you can do to boost your score with the help of your professional service team. Today, many HVAC systems have additional features available for improving and monitoring your home’s energy efficiency, and professionals can help you take advantage of these.
Contact Galmiche & Sons for a Great Home Energy Efficiency Rating for Your Home
At Galmiche & Sons heating & air conditioning, we can help you find the right equipment for your home to improve HVAC efficiency, and make sure your system is functioning as efficiently as possible.
