As Earth Day comes up, it's the right time of year to start planning how you can make your homes more energy-efficient and eco-friendly. 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. Schedule a home energy audit
One of the first steps towards an eco-friendly HVAC system is to schedule a professional home energy audit. During the audit, local HVAC experts evaluate your home's energy usage and look for any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and go over things with you before recommending improvements. This detailed evaluation helps you figure out where energy is wasted and how our proposed improvements can provide lasting benefits.
Adding More Insulation Can Boost Home Energy Efficiency
Adequate insulation is a vital, if surprisingly underrated option for full-spectrum comfort while also optimizing energy use. Insulation strengthens your home’s temperature barrier, preventing heat loss in the winter and keeping cool air indoors during the summer.
Unfortunately, most homes don’t have enough insulation. Installing new or supplemental insulation to attics, walls, floors and basements is the usual strategy. Using high-quality insulation materials like fiberglass, spray foam or cellulose can greatly boost energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.
3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss
Leaky ductwork is a common, but hidden source of energy loss that lower HVAC system efficiency, despite having high-efficiency equipment. To address these losses and reduce any wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician check ductwork for leaks and seal any gaps or cracks as securely as possible.
Additionally, 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. Investing in a Smart Thermostat
Choosing a programmable thermostat, and particularly a smart thermostat, enables homeowners to customize their heating and cooling schedules based on their daily routines and preferences. By automatically adjusting these temperature settings in response to your usage habits, these thermostats also optimize energy costs and stop 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
And speaking of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is one of the most beneficial investments you can make for ideal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should schedule 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 tackling 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 offer 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, maximizing 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 reducing the workload 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 feature variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to offer superior performance while requiring less energy.
Haselhoff Air Solutions is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Ready to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Haselhoff Air Solutions at 515-450-8739 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 cleaner 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.