As Earth Day comes up, it's the right time of year to start planning how you can make your homes greener and more efficient. There are lots of great options, and having so many available solutions ensures there’s one that fits every budget. Investing in eco-friendly HVAC not only benefits the environment but also contributes to bigger savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Request a home energy audit
The best way to start your journey to an eco-friendly HVAC system is to request a professional home energy audit. Over the course of an audit, local HVAC experts assess your home's energy usage and note any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and go over things with you before recommending improvements. This specialized evaluation helps you understand precisely where energy is wasted and how any recommended improvements can offer lasting benefits.
2. Update Your Home's Insulation
Having enough insulation is a crucial, and maybe underrated option for total comfort while at the same time fine-tuning your home’s average energy use. Insulation acts as a barrier, working to stop heat loss in the winter and retaining cool air indoors during the summer.
Surprisingly, most homes don’t have enough 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 significantly boost energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.
3. Ductwork Sealing and Insulation Stops Energy Waste
A leak in your home’s ductwork is a major source of energy waste that can lead to reduced HVAC system efficiency, despite having high-efficiency equipment. To address these losses and reduce any wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician examine ductwork for leaks and seal any openings as securely as possible.
If that wasn’t good enough, insulating the ductwork in spaces such as attics or crawl spaces helps prevent 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, enables homeowners to personalize 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 reduce energy costs and cut down on waste. Smart thermostats further offer benefits like remote access via mobile devices, or delivering helpful notifications for things like maintenance.
5. Prioritize Regular HVAC Maintenance
On the topic of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is perhaps the most effective decision you can make for ideal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should plan routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can conduct inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to make sure their HVAC systems operate efficiently.
By dealing with repair issues right away and keeping internal clean,your technician will help support your HVAC system and may even increase its life span.
6. Leverage Zoning Systems and Fan Settings for Enhanced Ventilation
Zoning systems and fan settings offer homeowners greater control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning creates 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 strain on the HVAC system.
7. Think About 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 employ variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to deliver superior performance while consuming less energy.
Appalachian Heating is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Eager to make your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Appalachian Heating at 304-707-0600 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 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.