Over the course of a year, Central Virginia’s weather swings from quite warm to quite cold. While the changing seasons are beautiful to experience, we understand that they can make it difficult for homeowners to balance comfort and energy savings.

Here are four energy-saving upgrades that can have a significant impact on your comfort and your wallet: 

1. Upgrade to an Energy Star or AHRI Rated System: Home appliances must meet specific energy efficiency standards set by the US Department of Energy in order to earn the Energy Star, which means you can be sure that they will work more efficiently and reduce energy costs, compared to standard appliances. Your HVAC technician and sales consultant will ensure that you find the right energy-efficient system for your home. Regular system maintenance can help to ensure your system remains efficient for years to come. 

2. Install a Ductless Heating and Cooling System: Ductless heating and cooling systems with the Energy Star label are designed to cut energy costs drastically. These systems use only the minimum amount of energy required to heat or cool a room, so they remove the cost associated with cycling. Cycling refers to the on/off modes that an air conditioning system goes through to achieve ideal room temperatures. Frequent cycling can waste a significant amount of energy.

3. Replace Your Traditional Thermostat with a Smart Thermostat: Each year, more homeowners make the switch to programmable thermostats. Why? Because these devices can make it easier to stay comfortable and use your HVAC system at peak efficiency. Smart thermostats allow you to set a heating and cooling schedule to make your home more cooler or warmer during certain times of the day. Even making a small change (around 1 degree Fahrenheit) in temperature is not very noticeable to most people, but it can save you money over time! Read more in our programmable thermostat blog. 

4. Get a Hybrid Water Heater: An Energy Star-qualified water heating system can save you as much as 50% annually on water heating costs.

Bonus Tip!

Take Advantage of Federal Tax Credits: Did you know that the federal government offers tax credits on the purchase and installation of Energy Star products? It’s an incentive to encourage homeowners to install more efficient products! This upgrade could be a win-win for you and the environment, as it reduces waste and energy consumption while simultaneously helping you save money and making your home more comfortable. In addition, the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit gives homeowners up to a 30 percent tax break for certain qualified improvements. In some cases, these rebates can be as much as $2,000!

We hope these tips give you helpful suggestions for energy-efficient home upgrades! To learn more about lowering your energy expenses and schedule your seasonal maintenance visit, give us a call at (434) 295-1177. We can help you keep your home comfortable while you’re saving money!