The chilly winter months are upon us, which means your heating system is working overtime to keep your home comfortable. If your HVAC system is outdated or inefficient, you may be spending more than necessary on energy bills.

air conditioning types at Comfort systems in Wichita KS

The good news is that with a few upgrades, you can increase the energy-efficiency of your system and save money. The experts at Comfort Systems have compiled the top 5 upgrades to consider for your HVAC system this winter.

Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Furnace

If your gas furnace is over 15 years old, it’s likely time to replace it with a new high-efficiency model. New furnaces have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90% or more, meaning up to 90 cents of every dollar spent on gas is put towards heating your home.

Older models often have AFUE ratings of 60-80%. Simply upgrading your decades old furnace to a new energy efficient model can reduce your heating costs by hundreds of dollars per year.

When shopping for a new furnace, look for the Energy Star label to ensure it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA.

Also consider upgraded features like variable-speed motors and two-stage heating for improved temperature control and savings.

Seal Ductwork Leaks

Leaky ductwork could be wasting energy and money every month. Studies show duct leakage accounts for nearly 30% of energy loss in the average home. Have a technician perform a thorough duct inspection using advanced diagnostics to locate any leaks or gaps.

Properly sealing ducts prevents conditioned air from escaping and increases airflow to rooms. Target areas where ducts meet vents, plenums, and connections at furnaces.

Improvement in duct sealing can provide a big boost in system efficiency. Sealing and insulating ducts can reduce energy costs by up to 20% per year.

Add Zonal Control

For improved comfort and efficiency, consider adding zonal control to regulate different zones of your home separately.

Zonal control includes motorized dampers on branch ducts and smart thermostats in each zone. With zonal control, you only heat or cool occupied parts of your home.

Plus, you can customize temperatures based on use of each room. For example, you can set the bedrooms cooler at night while keeping the kitchen and living room warmer.

Targeted conditioning saves energy and reduces costs. Installing a zonal system can cut heating and cooling bills by 30% annually.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

It’s easy to upgrade the convenience and efficiency of your system with an energy-smart programmable thermostat.

This gives you the ability to set customized schedules for heating and cooling. Program it to automatically adjust temps when you are asleep or away at work.

New smart thermostats even enable control via smartphone and auto-adjust based on your habits. Many models also allow remote access via smartphone. Programmable thermostats can lead to energy savings of up to 10% per year.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Don’t underestimate the impact of regular maintenance on your HVAC system.

Things like routine filter changes, coil cleaning, and inspections ensure your system runs at peak performance. Well maintained equipment lasts longer and has fewer costly repairs.

Have a qualified technician perform an annual tune-up to spot and address small issues before they become big problems. A technician can check refrigerant levels, tighten connections, and test controls.

Proper maintenance minimizes energy use and maximizes savings. Keep your HVAC system running like new with regular professional tune-ups.

Ready to Get Started? Contact Us!

This winter, keep your home comfortable while optimizing energy-efficiency and savings with these top upgrades.

Reach out to the experts at Comfort Systems to evaluate your HVAC system and recommend the improvements that make the most sense.

Investing in the right upgrades now can lead to a lifetime of lower energy bills and better indoor comfort. Contact us today to get started!

Posted in HVAC system