When energy efficient home improvements first exploded onto the home improvement scene, many of them were excessively expensive. Yes, they offered beefy long term savings but not many homeowners could afford the initial investment that it took to have these improvements installed. Nowadays, things are different. Green improvements are more popular these days, and manufacturers are bending over backwards to give the consumer what they want. This results in the ability to go green on a budget. One of the bigger investments that you could make in your home is the replacement of the HVAC system, and most of the major HVAC manufacturers have put out energy efficient systems that nearly anyone can afford.
Get More than the Minimum!
Replacing the furnace or air conditioner with a high efficiency system could save you hundreds yearly on your energy bills, but to maximize the savings you need to upgrade to the highest efficiency unit that you can afford. In the past this meant going with the minimum efficiency requirements and right now that would mean that you would purchase an 80% efficient furnace. Just because you operate on a budget doesn’t mean you have to settle for the minimum standard.
A High Efficiency Unit You Can Afford
Lennox Home Comfort Systems, one of the leaders in the HVAC industry, has made high efficiency heating available to all in the creation of the G43 natural gas furnace. This unit, though it falls under the lowest price level offered by Lennox, is able to compete with some of the high end units in AFUE ratings. It is rated at 92.1% AFUE which makes it nearly 100% efficient with the fuel that it consumes. The unit may not have all of the gadgets that the high end units have, but AFUE ratings are what add up to savings.
If you gave up on the idea of going green years ago because you thought you couldn’t afford it, take another look. Going green is more affordable than ever, and your old HVAC system is a good place to start your investigation of the world of energy efficient home improvements.
