As we approach Earth Day, it's a great opportunity to start planning how you can make your homes how you can work towards a more sustainable home. There are lots of great options, and having so many potential solutions ensures there’s one that fits every budget. Investing in eco-friendly HVAC not only benefits the environment but also contributes to long-term savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Request a home energy audit
An easy way to start planning your eco-friendly HVAC system is to book a professional home energy audit. Over the course of an audit, local HVAC experts assess your home's energy usage and look for any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and discuss things with you before suggesting improvements. This detailed evaluation helps you understand precisely where energy is wasted and how these improvements can provide lasting benefits.
2. Update Your Home's Insulation
Adequate insulation is a vital, and maybe underrated option for total comfort while simultaneously 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.
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 enhance energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.
3. Ductwork Sealing and Insulation Stops Energy Waste
A leak in your home’s ductwork is an often overlooked source of energy loss that lower HVAC system efficiency, even with high-efficiency equipment. To mitigate these losses and prevent any more 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 around unfinished 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
Opting for a programmable thermostat, and particularly a smart thermostat, allows homeowners to customize their heating and cooling schedules in line with their daily routines and preferences. By gradually optimizing these temperature settings according to your usage habits, these thermostats improve energy costs and stop waste. Smart thermostats further offer benefits like remote access via mobile devices, or sending helpful notifications for things like maintenance.
5. Prioritize Regular HVAC Maintenance
In fact, regular HVAC maintenance is one of the most beneficial investments you can make for optimal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should plan routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can conduct inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to ensure their HVAC systems run smoothly.
By tackling repair issues right away and keeping internal clean,your technician will help support your HVAC system and may even extend its life span.
6. Leverage Zoning Systems and Fan Settings for Enhanced Ventilation
Zoning systems and fan settings provide homeowners greater control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning separates different areas of the home to be heated or cooled independently, maximizing comfort and energy usage. And to support the zoning system’s airflow, even adjusting fan settings can help maintain consistent temperatures in your home while minimizing 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 utilize variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to offer superior performance while requiring less energy.
Air Temperature Control is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Ready to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Air Temperature Control at 478-202-3170 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.