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As Earth Day comes up, it's the perfect time 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 available solutions ensures there’s one that fits every budget. Adopting greener HVAC solutions not only benefits the environment but also contributes to long-term 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. Over the course of an audit, local HVAC experts evaluate your home's energy usage and identify any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and review 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.
Adding More Insulation Can Boost Home Energy Efficiency
Adequate insulation is a crucial, and maybe underrated option for full-spectrum comfort while simultaneously optimizing energy use. Insulation strengthens your home’s temperature barrier, helping to prevent heat loss in the winter and keeping cool air indoors during the summer.
Unfortunately, most homes could use more insulation. Incorporating additional insulation to attics, walls, floors and basements is the usual strategy. Using high-quality insulation materials such as fiberglass, spray foam or cellulose can dramatically boost energy efficiency for lower 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 loss that lower HVAC system efficiency, despite having high-efficiency equipment. To address these losses and avoid future 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 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 personalize their heating and cooling schedules based on their daily routines and preferences. By gradually optimizing these temperature settings based on your usage habits, these thermostats also optimize energy costs and minimize waste. Smart thermostats can also offer benefits like remote access via mobile devices, or sending helpful notifications for things like maintenance.
5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance
In fact, regular HVAC maintenance is perhaps the most effective decision you can make for peak system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should arrange for routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can carry out inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to make sure their HVAC systems run smoothly.
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. Use Zoning Systems and Fan Settings for Better 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, maximizing comfort and energy usage. Meanwhile, even adjusting fan settings can help with providing consistent temperatures in your home while minimizing the workload on the HVAC system.
7. Think About Upgrading to a New, High-Efficiency HVAC System
For homeowners ready to take the next step, 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 using less energy.
GLR Mechanical Can Help Your Home Be More Sustainable
Eager to make your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact GLR Mechanical at 570-309-0403 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 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.