As Earth Day comes up, it's the perfect time to start thinking about how you can make your homes greener and more efficient. You’ll be impressed by the variety, and having so many available solutions ensures there’s one that matches your budget. Investing in eco-friendly HVAC not only benefits the environment but also contributes to cost savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Complete a home energy audit
The best way to start your journey to an eco-friendly HVAC system is to schedule a professional home energy audit. As part of the audit, local HVAC experts evaluate your home's energy usage and look for any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and discuss things with you before recommending improvements. This detailed evaluation helps you understand precisely where energy is wasted and how our proposed improvements can offer lasting benefits.
2. Update Your Home's Insulation
Adequate insulation is a vital, and maybe underrated option for total comfort while at the same time optimizing energy use. Insulation acts as a barrier, preventing heat loss in the winter and keeping cool air indoors during the summer.
Unfortunately, most homes don’t have enough insulation. Adding more insulation to attics, walls, floors and basements is the usual strategy. Using high-quality insulation materials like fiberglass, spray foam or cellulose can dramatically improve energy efficiency for lower heating and cooling costs.
3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss
A leak in your home’s ductwork is an often overlooked source of energy waste that can lead to reduced HVAC system efficiency, even with high-efficiency equipment. To mitigate these losses and prevent any more wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician inspect ductwork for leaks and seal any gaps or cracks as securely as possible.
As another benefit, insulating the ductwork around unfinished spaces such as attics or crawl spaces reduces heat transfer into them. Sealing off these inefficient parts of your home is a great example of how a little effort can go a long way.
4. Consider the Benefits of a Programmable/Smart Thermostat
Investing in a programmable thermostat, and especially a smart thermostat, allows homeowners to personalize their heating and cooling schedules based on their daily routines and preferences. By gradually optimizing these temperature settings in response to your usage habits, these thermostats reduce energy costs and cut down on waste. Smart thermostats can also offer benefits like remote access via mobile devices, or providing helpful notifications for things like maintenance.
5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance
And speaking of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is one of the most beneficial investments you can make for peak system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should schedule routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can perform inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to make sure their HVAC systems function seamlessly.
By dealing with repair issues promptly and keeping internal clean, you can help safeguard your HVAC system and may even increase its life span.
6. Use Zoning Systems and Fan Settings for Better Ventilation
Zoning systems and fan settings give homeowners more precise control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning separates different areas of the home to be heated or cooled independently, optimizing comfort and energy usage. And to support the zoning system’s airflow, even adjusting fan settings can help with providing consistent temperatures in your home while lessening the workload on the HVAC system.
7. Consider Upgrading to a New, High-Efficiency HVAC System
For homeowners looking for major improvements, installing a new, high-efficiency HVAC system is highly recommended. The newest HVAC systems feature variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to deliver superior performance while using less energy.
Ambience HVAC, Inc. Can Help Your Home Be More Sustainable
Eager to make your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Ambience HVAC, Inc. at 302-239-HVAC (4822) to schedule a free consultation for eco-friendly home upgrades.
By implementing these HVAC tips, you can reduce not only your environmental impact but also enjoy a more comfortable and more efficient home. We’re proud to make the most of this year’s Earth Day creating a greener future, one household at a time.