As Earth Day comes up, it's the right time of year to start thinking about how you can make your homes how you can work towards a more sustainable home. You’ll be impressed by the variety, and having so many possible 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. Request a home energy audit
One of the first steps towards an eco-friendly HVAC system is to schedule a professional home energy audit. Over the course of an 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 offering opinionso on the best improvements. This comprehensive evaluation helps you learn just where energy is wasted and how any recommended improvements can provide lasting benefits.
2. Update Your Home's Insulation
Adequate insulation is an essential, and maybe underrated option for full-spectrum comfort while simultaneously fine-tuning your home’s average energy use. Insulation functions kind of like a shield for your HVAC system, preventing heat loss in the winter and keeping cool air indoors during the summer.
Surprisingly, most homes could use more insulation. Incorporating additional insulation to attics, walls, floors and basements is the usual strategy. Using high-quality insulation materials like fiberglass, spray foam or cellulose can greatly enhance energy efficiency for lower heating and cooling costs.
3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss
Damage to the home’s ductwork is a common, but hidden source of energy loss that can lead to reduced HVAC system efficiency, regardless of high-efficiency equipment. To address these losses and reduce any wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician check ductwork for leaks and seal any damage as securely as possible.
As another benefit, insulating the ductwork in spaces such as attics or crawl spaces minimizes 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 particularly a smart thermostat, allows homeowners to tailor their heating and cooling schedules based on their daily routines and preferences. By learning how to maintain these temperature settings in response to your usage habits, these thermostats improve energy costs and stop waste. Smart thermostats also provide benefits like remote access with your tablet or smartphone, or providing helpful notifications for things like maintenance.
5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance
In fact, regular HVAC maintenance is an essential investment 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 prolong its life span.
6. Leverage Zoning Systems and Fan Settings for Enhanced Ventilation
Zoning systems and fan settings provide homeowners more precise control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning enables 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 minimizing the actual wear and tear 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 always a great choice. The newest HVAC systems employ variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to deliver superior performance while requiring less energy.
Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Eager to make your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Gee & Missler Heating & Air Conditioning at 734-284-1224 to schedule a free consultation for eco-friendly home upgrades.
By implementing these HVAC tips, you can not only reduce your environmental impact but also enjoy a 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.
