(NAPSI)—This summer, homeowners don’t have to choose between being cool and eco-conscious. Today’s innovations make it “no sweat” to enjoy both with smart home climate control technologies and advanced air-conditioning systems created to achieve maximum energy efficiency and comfort.

Many might be surprised that home cooling accounts for nearly half of home energy use and is responsible for nearly100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. It’s no wonder optimal energy efficiency is a home buyer’s top “Green Preference,” with nearly half of home buyers willing to invest between $1,000 and $9,999 for a $1,000 annual savings on their utility bills, and 37 percent are willing to spend upward of $10,000, according to the National Association of Home Builders 2019 “What Home Buyers Really Want” Report.

With air conditioner energy expenses costing homeowners more than $11 billion a year, a little knowledge can go a long way.

Get “Smart” About Home Climate

When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system. Several leading manufacturers, including Fujitsu General America, offer Smart Systems as well as a Thermostat Converter, which can control their single and multizone Halcyon and Airstage heating and cooling systems using a third-party thermostat.

Amp Up Energy Efficiency, Lower Bills Up to 25 Percent

A system upgrade and a smart home thermostat equals energy savings. The most energy-efficient heating and cooling products on the market, ductless mini-split systems, can save as much as 25 percent on your utility bill. An efficiently controlled thermostat could save an additional 10 percent a year. And professional expertise is key because a system can lose 20 to 40 percent of its energy efficiency from poor installation.

How do mini-splits work? Thin copper tubing is used to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space. This eliminates the need for basement or attic evaporators and bulky, expensive ductwork. Mini-splits are easy to install and usually require only a 3- to 4-inch hole through a wall or ceiling to connect the indoor and outdoor units.

Heighten Customization and Convenience

Take individualized comfort to new levels. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Now, voice-control capability uses digital assistants to verbally dictate home temperatures—“Alexa, set the living room temperature to 70 degrees.” For instance, Fujitsu offers a free FGLair app that enables Web-activated control via mobile devices and now voice-activated control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Built for optimal customization, ductless mini-split systems let you control the individual temperature in each room, so you don’t waste money cooling unused spaces such as guest bedrooms, bonus rooms, sunrooms and basements. Ductless systems operate at much higher efficiency levels than central forced-air systems and window units, as duct losses in a central AC system can account for more than 30 percent of your energy consumption.

Whether you take a “staycation” or kick back at your vacation home, following some practical tips will help you bask in ultimate comfort while lowering utility bills and respecting the environment.

Many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government. To learn more or find a contractor, call (888) 888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com or www.fujitsugeneral.com.

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On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)