As Earth Day comes up, it's a great opportunity 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 high efficiency HVAC systems 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 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 recommending improvements. This comprehensive evaluation helps you understand precisely where energy is wasted and how any recommended improvements can bring lasting benefits.
2. Update Your Home's Insulation
Adequate insulation is a crucial, and maybe underrated option for a complete sense of comfort while simultaneously fine-tuning your home’s average energy use. Insulation acts as a barrier, preventing 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 enhance energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.
3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss
A leak in your home’s ductwork is a common, but hidden source of energy loss that lower HVAC system efficiency, despite having high-efficiency equipment. To mitigate these losses and reduce any wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician inspect ductwork for leaks and seal any gaps or cracks as securely as possible.
If that wasn’t good enough, 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
Opting for a programmable thermostat, and especially 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 based on your usage habits, these thermostats improve energy costs and minimize waste. Smart thermostats also provide benefits like remote access via mobile devices, or sending helpful notifications for things like maintenance.
5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance
And speaking of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is an essential investment you can make for peak system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should arrange for routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can perform inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to make sure their HVAC systems function seamlessly.
By tackling repair issues more quickly and keeping internal clean, you can help safeguard your HVAC system and may even extend its life span.
6. Use Zoning Systems and Fan Settings for Better Ventilation
Zoning systems and fan settings provide homeowners greater control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning allows different areas of the home to be heated or cooled independently, improving 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 actual wear and tear on the HVAC system.
7. Consider Upgrading to a New, High-Efficiency HVAC System
For homeowners eager to upgrade, 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 using less energy.
Vogts Heating & Air is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Ready to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Vogts Heating & Air at 208-621-0129 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 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.