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How to Monitor Home Heating and Cooling Efficiency
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If you are like most people, you understand that Home heating and cooling efficiency plays a significant role in determining how costly your energy bill is every month.
During the colder and warmer months, as your demand for more energy increases to heat and cool your home increases, often your electric and gas bill quickly reflect your elevated consumption of power.
For people who are living on tight or limited budgets, these seasonal increases can put additional stress on the finances. However, the good news is there are more ways than ever before to improve Home heating and cooling efficiency without breaking the bank or making expensive upgrades to your home. Such as using some Indoor Thermometer & Hygrometers to help control energy efficiency consumption.
What is Home Energy Efficiency?
According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, the basic definition of energy efficiency is consuming lower amounts of energy to perform the same task, or more simply, not wasting energy. Many factors can influence the energy-efficiency of your home. Your roof, your window systems, the size and design of your home all come into play.
In 2012, the Department of Energy developed a Home Energy Score that grades the energy efficiency of a residence based on the HVAC system, hot water system, and home design.
Using multiple data points, the Home Energy Score Report predicts an estimate of home energy use, as well as associated costs for heating and cooling the home. This score ranges on a scale of one to ten, with one being the lowest and ten representing the most energy-efficient homes.
Homeowners with a low score are encouraged to improve their energy usage with High-efficiency home heating in the colder months and by taking steps to Improve home cooling efficiency during the warmer summer season.
What are the Most Efficient Home Heating and Cooling Options?
These days, homeowners have more options than ever before to heat and cool their homes efficiently.
Radiant Heating and Cooling
If you have the chance to choose your heating and cooling system, be sure to investigate radiant floor heating.
This type of heating and cooling system offers more thermal comfort at a lower set point temperature than traditional forced-air heating systems. More importantly, the homeowner can expect to see a twenty to forty percent savings on their energy bill when compared to the forced air system.
Additionally, radiant floor heating and helps to promote healthy indoor air quality. Radiant heat doesn’t blow dry, hot air through ducts or recirculate stale air in the home, making it an ideal heating option for people with respiratory issues, allergies, or other sensitivities.
During the cold season, this High-efficiency home heating system warms the home by circulating warm water through flexible crosslinked polyethene tubes that lay within or underneath the floor. During the hot summer months, the hot water gets replaced with cold water. Generally, this type of heating system is found in newer homes, although some older homes in mild environments may be able to get retrofitted for Energy-efficient home heating.
Energy Star Rated HVAC Systems
If your home has an older HVAC system, you are likely missing out on the features and energy savings that today’s modern home HVAC systems offer. According to Energy Star, replacing old air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, and water heaters every ten to fifteen years helps to ensure that you’re getting the maximum benefit and use of these items.
If you are not sure how old these components of your home are, signs they could be malfunctioning or failing include higher than average energy bills, uneven heating, or a noisy unity. Today’s modern HVAC systems improve home heating efficiency by working less to provide higher levels of comfort all year long.
Tips to Improve Air Conditioning Efficiency
The hot months of the year are as equally as uncomfortable as the cold months. High levels of heat and humidity can cause a severe health threat, so keeping your home at a lower temperature helps alleviate some of the immediate threats these two weather conditions create. You’ll want to be sure that your air conditioning unit is ready to handle the hot temps, so here are some tips on how to increase the efficiency of your central air conditioner.
Always Complete Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit helps to ensure that when warm weather arrives, your air conditioner is ready to start right up and begin cooling your home. Many newer units come with warranties, so always be sure to take advantage of any included inspections or maintenance coverage. Handle any repairs promptly, and if needed, consider replacing your unit.
Clear Away any Debris on Top or Surrounding the Unit
Loose debris lying around or on top of your air conditioning unit can cause blockages that prevent it from working at its best. In worst-case scenarios, the buildup of debris, dirt, and other materials could cause severe damage, such as a blown-out motor.
Close Your Drapes and Windows
Anything you can do to keep the sun and heat from coming into your home help to keep things cooler inside. Closing your drapes and windows helps to trap treated air inside without fighting against the heat and UV rays of the sun.
Simple Ways to Track Home Energy Efficiency
If you would like to improve the energy efficiency of your home, the first step is to discover where you have bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Here are 5 ways you can track your usage.
Indoor Hygrometer & Thermometer
This portable hygrometer & thermometer is ideal for monitoring the temperatures indoors. Battery operated, it provides comprehensive information including a humidity monitor and the temperature, as well as high and lows for the last twenty-four hours. An emoticon even helps describe the comfort level.
If you are curious if a room in your home is warmer or colder than what it should be, investing in a ThermoPro Indoor Hygrometer & Thermometer is one of the most convenient ways to test your theory, erase all doubt, and get an accurate reading once and for all.
Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats help homeowners stay in control of the temperature in their homes at all times. For instance, there is little reason to keep your home ice cold in the summer and toasty warm in the winter if no one is home. Smart thermostats allow you to set the temps in your home to reflect your needs.
Energy Monitoring Apps
Use your smartphone app to track energy efficiency help you become more mindful of your energy usage. Depending on the app, it may collect information from your smart meter or use an estimate of your energy consumption based on the average locally.
Smart Outlets
Smart outlets are compatible with any outlet. Any device plugged into the outlet has energy efficiency monitored. By using them throughout your home, you can track your usage effectively.
Meter Sensor
Connected to your outside electricity meter, a meter sensor sends readings to your preferred device. This product is ideal for difficult to read, older meters.
Final
Monitoring energy efficiency in your home is the best way to control home energy consumption, it is great to improve your home energy efficiency.