Proudly Serving the Coastal Empire & the Lowcountry
From rising costs to concerning environmental impacts, homeowners are becoming more conscious of their energy usage. In Georgia and South Carolina, this is especially important in regards to home comfort.
With our humid summers and chilly winters, homeowners rely on their HVAC systems year-round. If these systems are inefficient, it can result in rising utility costs and discomfort. Plus, the added energy usage contributes to their carbon footprint.
The experts at Canady’s Heating, Air & Plumbing have energy-saving tips for homeowners looking to lower their utility bills and energy usage while keeping their home comfortable during every season.
Call Canady’s today to request HVAC repair, replacement, or maintenance in Beaufort, SC, Savannah, GA, or surrounding areas.
How Upgrading Your HVAC Could Lower Your Utility Bills
While price is always important, it’s equally important to assess how much your system will cost to operate and maintain year in and year out. For example, higher efficiency systems require less energy, which amounts to:
- Lower utility costs
- Reduced maintenance expenses
- Better warranties
Grab your utility bill and take this quick energy cost analysis to give you a small sample of the value of high-efficiency systems.
Your air conditioning system typically represents 60% to 70% of the total bill in summer, and also winter if you use a heat pump.
What Makes New HVAC Systems Better?
The newest HVAC systems on the market offer more modern home comfort technology and unmatched efficiency. Upgrading your HVAC system could reduce your monthly utility bills by 20% to 40%.
There are many additional benefits to replacing your HVAC with upgraded equipment, including:
- Increased energy efficiency
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Improved indoor air quality
- Enhanced comfort
- Smart home integration
Install High-Efficiency HVAC Systems
Homeowners who want to upgrade their HVAC with an energy-conscious option may consider an alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems.
Heat pumps and ductless mini-splits offer the greatest energy efficiency and year-round comfort from one unit. When paired with other energy-saving systems like smart thermostats, homeowners can dramatically reduce their energy usage without compromising comfort.
Even if you replace your current system with a newer central AC and furnace, the newest HVAC technology and efficiency standards mean they’ll reduce your energy usage.
Understand Energy Efficiency Ratings
When choosing a new HVAC system, it’s important to understand the various energy efficiency ratings used within the industry:
- SEER2: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 measures the cooling efficiency of ACs and heat pumps. In general, a system with a SEER2 of 16 or higher is considered highly efficient.
- HSPF2: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2 measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps. Highly efficient heat pumps will have an HSPF2 of 15 or higher.
- AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) measures furnace efficiency. This rating is provided as a percentage, with an AFUE of 95% or higher indicating high efficiency.
Save with HVAC Incentives & Rebates
As our nation moves toward a greener future, many incentives are available to homeowners that can help offset the cost of upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC systems.
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), some of these incentives are in the form of federal tax credits. Rebates are also available through state programs and utility providers.
Federal Tax Credits through the Inflation Reduction Act
Thanks to the IRA, homeowners who install energy-efficient systems can qualify for up to $1,200 annually in tax credits. Qualifying systems include:
- Central air conditioners rated 16 SEER or higher
- Gas furnaces rated 95% AFUE or higher
- Heat pumps rated 15 SEER or higher
The Home Electrification & Appliance Rebates Program
The Office of State and Community Energy Programs has awarded grants to state energy offices to develop a high-efficiency electric home rebate program called the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program.
This includes rebates for eligible ENERGY STAR®-certified heat pumps. Rebates must meet income eligibility and can receive a maximum of $8,000 in rebates.
The Home Efficiency Rebates Program
The Office of State and Community Energy Programs also launched the Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) program, which incentivizes whole-home energy-efficient retrofits and upgrades.
Incentives are based on your household’s area median income and the estimated energy savings from the upgrades.
Keep Up with Preventative Maintenance
An affordable way for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their HVAC systems is by scheduling annual maintenance.
During a heating or cooling tune-up, the technician will ensure that your system is running properly with a thorough inspection, cleaning, and calibration.
Fixing minor issues proactively allows your system to run at optimal efficiency and can reduce your risk of feature breakdowns and costly repairs.
Streamline your maintenance even further by signing up for Canady’s Comfort Club and receiving benefits, including:
- Priority scheduling
- Exclusive special offers and rebates
- Equipment condition reporting
Choose Canady’s for HVAC Services in Savannah & Beaufort
If you’re looking for ways to reduce your HVAC energy usage, trust the team at Canady’s for expert advice.
Our experienced technicians can help you determine the best system for your home and needs along with a free estimate on any replacement.
New HVAC systems we install come with a lifetime warranty guarantee. Plus, with upfront pricing and financing options, there’s never been a better time to invest in your comfort.
Call Canady’s today to get a free estimate for HVAC replacement in the Coastal Empire or the Lowcountry.
