All home heating and cooling systems, regardless of type, do what their name implies: heat and cool your living space. But choosing all-in-one HVAC services — instead of a combination of radiators, air conditioning or other climate control methods — can provide you with a few important extras. One of the top reasons is the increased efficiency of a modern HVAC system; if you’re remodeling or building a new home, paying out a little extra for HVAC services could help you save big in the long run.
Customizable Climate Control
Central systems are designed to be used with programmable thermostats. This both creates a more comfortable environment by always keeping you at the perfect temperature and allows for more efficient home heating and cooling. You can make sure your home is toasty warm when you’re around the house, but turn the heat down when you’re in bed or at work to save energy and money. (You may want to talk to your HVAC services provider about exactly how far the heat should be turned down at night though, since some experts believe turning it too low overnight costs more because of the energy required to bring your house back up to temperature in the morning.)
Programmable Vs. Manual Temperature Control
Sure, many people do this to some degree by manually adjusting the thermostat, and if you’re really disciplined manual control can have the same energy-saving effect. The problem is that it’s much easier to forget when your routine gets busy. The Department of Energy advises that using a programmable thermostat to turn your heat down by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save you 10% on energy costs. If you’re already spending money to upgrade your heating system, a few hundred extra dollars is a small price to pay for the convenience of an automated system.
Sustainable Options
If you want to save (money or the environment) even more, you can investigate HVAC companies who offer renewable energy systems. Solar electric power or even geothermal heat are sustainable ways to keep your house comfortable. Even if you have solar panels, you’ll still be hooked up with the regular power company in your area (most home solar systems don’t store energy, so you need to pull power from the grid at night). When your panels capture more energy than your house needs to run, your utility meter will actually run backward, offsetting the cost of any power you draw from the energy grid.
Have you used a programmable thermostat? Did it save you money? Share your experience in the comments.