Installations That Will Help You Save Money on Home Utilities in 2019
The new year is upon us and most of you are setting resolutions to improve your quality of life. Among your worthy new goals, is the pledge to tighten up ship when it comes to finances, and if you’re a homeowner you know exactly where that begins. The monthly expenditures that come from owning a home can take their toll on your bankroll and while you may not be able to do anything about your monthly mortgage you can absolutely take steps to reduce the outflow for utilities. It may require some initial investment, but even if you need to tap into your home equity to do so, the upgrades will pay of dividends for years to come as you enjoy better internal temperatures and a reduced ongoing energy bill to boot.
3 HVAC Upgrades that Can Save You (Calgary Homeowner) Money on Household Utilities in 2019 and Beyond
Your Furnace
In addition to the increased interior comfort that comes from a new furnace which produces a more steady flow of heat when compared to your current model, replacing the old furnace in your central heating system with an updated and more efficient version will offset the volatile energy prices Albertans are facing today. As stated in our recent article about how the gift of a new furnace is a great idea, a gas furnace is a superior alternative to electric given that while electricity has continued to increase in cost, natural gas prices for average Alberta homeowners have decreased. Yes, as mentioned there will be an initial investment, but you’ll see the ROI soon as those monthly heating costs through the harsh winter months drop significantly.
Of course, not all furnaces are created equal so you should not take the statements above to the bank quite yet. Having worked in the Calgary HVAC industry for over two-decades we can safely say that when it comes to premium furnaces there is none better than TRANE. View more on why you should choose TRANE as your furnace solution to inflated heating prices in Alberta.
Your Air Conditioner
As the months pass from winter into late spring and summer the average temperatures rise and your concerns switch from heating to cooling and improvement in interior air quality, especially for those of who count seasonal allergy sufferers in the household. Once again you’re faced with a utility bill that you need to manage without sacrificing comfort, and this can be accomplished with an upgraded A/C unit.
Whether you own a townhome, side-by-side, infill, single-family home, or condo a new air conditioner can save you a lot. While the average A/C unit has a lifespan of approximately 20 years (assuming proper installation and servicing) you may save anywhere from 20-40 percent of your cooling energy costs by replacing an air conditioner that is just 5-10 years old with a newer, more efficient model. This is because advancements in air conditioning products have come a VERY long way as new technologies have been introduced into both the parts and manufacturing environment. The end result is a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) that typically ranges from 13-22, delivering better efficiency and lower costs of cooling. View top-of-the-line air conditioning products to see the SEER (and more) for yourself!
Your Hot Water Heater
An upgraded furnace and air conditioning unit may cover your interior bases through all four seasons but hot water (an essential element) costs can be especially challenging to control.
The Department of Energy states that for the typical family, water heating can account for around 12% of a household’s utility bill while the Government of Canada quotes that number at 19%. That being said, there are a lot of not-so-typical households out there, and this is Calgary Alberta we’re talking about, so don’t be surprised if that number edges closer to 25% for some. The latter is especially true for those of you with family members that spend extra time in the shower and feel the need to throw one t-shirt at a time into the washer. If that sounds familiar, the average Canadian usage can go from 75 liters of hot water per day (at home) and spill over into 100 liters or more.
Long story short, an upgraded hot water heater can take a positive chunk out of your monthly and annual utility expenditures. In addition, by acting now you can take advantage of up to $1000 in Government rebates as both federal and provincial bodies seek to increase energy efficiencies as a part of their mandate to move towards a more sustainable society. Have a look at the best options for heating your water and saving you money here.
If you have further questions about any of the above we encourage you to contact Air Force Heating today. We will work with you to build a custom solution to your utility concerns.
