You may have concerns about the value of your home. While home equity is the portion of the home you paid off, the value of the home is what your home is worth. What you might not know is that when you increase the value of your home, your home equity raises as well, so below are seven ways HVAC upgrades increase your home equity.
Central Air
Central air allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your home no matter the time of year. These days, potential homebuyers consider central air a standard feature rather than an upgrade and pass over homes without it. Central air increases the value of your home by as much as 10%, and you no longer have to worry about adjusting heaters in every room or using fans to push cooler air from the air conditioner around the house.
Indoor Air Quality
The EPA states that indoor air quality is often two to five times higher than levels found outdoors. Therefore, it only makes sense that taking steps to improve and maintain your home’s indoor air quality will improve your home value and home equity.
This ranges from ventilation to air purification devices and even whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Combined with smart home automation, the entire system can automate and activate air purifiers and humidifiers/dehumidifiers when needed by checking pollen and humidity levels.
Smart Home Automation
Smart home automation makes it so you can run your HVAC unit more efficiency. You can program smart thermostats, and they also adapt to your schedule, weather forecasts, and seasonal changes. A smart thermostat knows when you’re coming home from work and adjusts the temperature, so you have a comfortable house when you arrive.
Energy Recovery Ventilator
Like other ventilators, energy recovery ventilators remove stale air from the home and bring clean, fresh air into the home. A key difference with energy recovery ventilators is that they transfer heat and moisture from outgoing air to the incoming air. This conditions the incoming air, so your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the heat within your home, lowering your energy bills.
HVAC Zoning
Centrl HVAC zoning uses dampers to regulate and direct air to specific areas of your house. This increases energy efficiency by not heating rooms that you don’t use in the home. While central air helps keep the entire home warm, why heat a room you don’t use?
If you prefer your bedroom at 78 degrees and someone else in the house prefers their bedroom at 68 degrees, neither of you have to fight over the thermostat, and you’re both comfortable. Home zoning can also be achieved with the use of ductless multi-split systems.
New Windows
Sometimes the best HVAC upgrade isn’t part of it the HVAC system itself. Upgrading to double-paned windows helps to lower your monthly energy bills by reducing drafts and heat loss.
This increases the efficiency of your HVAC system. According to Energy.gov, windows are responsible for 25% to 30% of heat loss, which makes weatherstripping and upgrades important and helpful ways to save on energy costs and maintain comfort. Even if you don’t believe you have a problem with drafts or heat loss it’s surprising to learn just how much heat you do lose.
Insulation
One of the main things both you and potential homebuyers look for is ways to reduce utility bills. EnergyStar states that you save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs with proper insulation. Aside from increased energy efficiency, adequate insulation also helps to absorb sound, so you don’t hear someone in the next room snore, and you don’t hear as much sound from outside.
While we don’t offer insulation or window replacement services at Vic’s Air Conditioning, it’s a good idea to have pay attention to these areas of your home and consult a professional if you’re unsure whether your existing features need to be upgraded.
Your home is one of the biggest investments in your life, so it only makes sense to increase its value. Your HVAC system will need regular inspections and tune-ups to maintain energy efficiency and your home’s value. Contact Vic’s Air Conditioning today for your HVAC maintenance needs to maintain your home’s value and equity.
Image provided by iStock
