Every homeowner wants to lower their energy bills without sacrificing comfort. Your heating and cooling system is one of the largest energy consumers in your home, so making smart upgrades can lead to significant savings. At SWVA Mechanical, our team helps homeowners choose energy-efficient solutions that provide a real return on their investment. Here are some of the most effective upgrades that will lower your utility costs.
High-Efficiency Air Conditioners and Furnaces
Replacing an old, outdated HVAC system is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make. Modern systems are far more efficient than models from just a decade ago. The efficiency of new equipment can dramatically reduce your monthly energy spending.
Understanding Efficiency Ratings
When you shop for a new air conditioner, look at its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2, or SEER2 rating. A higher SEER2 number means greater efficiency. For furnaces, efficiency is measured by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. A higher AFUE percentage indicates that more fuel is converted into heat for your home. Our technicians can help you select a system with the right rating for your home and budget, ensuring you see the savings on your utility bills.
The Advantage of a Heat Pump
Heat pumps are an incredibly efficient solution for year-round comfort in the Virginia climate. They provide both heating and cooling in a single unit. Instead of creating heat, they move it.
How Heat Pumps Save Energy
In the summer, a heat pump works like a standard air conditioner, moving heat from inside your home to the outside. In the winter, the process reverses; it extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it into your home. This process of heat transfer is much more energy-efficient than generating heat through combustion or electric resistance. For homeowners looking for one system to do it all, a modern heat pump is a fantastic investment. We also install dual fuel systems, which pair a heat pump with a furnace for maximum efficiency and comfort in all weather.
Smart Thermostat Installation
A small change that makes a big difference is upgrading to a smart thermostat. This simple device automates your heating and cooling schedule based on your habits, so you are not wasting energy when you are away from home or asleep.
Beyond Simple Scheduling
Smart thermostats learn your preferences and can be controlled remotely from your smartphone. Some models can even monitor your system’s performance and alert you to potential issues before they become major problems. By optimizing your HVAC usage, a smart thermostat can reduce your heating and cooling costs by a significant percentage each year. It is a low cost upgrade that provides immediate payback.
Sealing and Insulating Your Ductwork
Your ductwork is the delivery system for all the conditioned air your HVAC unit produces. If your ducts are leaky, a large portion of that air could be lost to your attic, crawlspace, or walls. This forces your system to run longer to keep you comfortable.
An Unseen Source of Waste
Our team can inspect your ductwork for leaks and seal them properly. Properly sealed ducts ensure that the heated or cooled air reaches its intended destination without waste. This improves your system’s efficiency and helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout your home. A duct system that is sealed and insulated is a foundational step for getting the most out of your high-efficiency equipment.
Invest in Efficiency with SWVA Mechanical
Making energy-efficient upgrades is a wise choice for any homeowner in Southwest Virginia. From installing a new heat pump in your Tazewell home to sealing ductwork in your Bristol residence, our team is ready to help. Contact SWVA Mechanical to discuss which HVAC upgrades will provide the best return for you.