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 potential solutions ensures there’s one that fits every budget. Investing in high efficiency HVAC systems not only benefits the environment but also contributes to bigger savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Schedule 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. During the audit, local HVAC experts evaluate your home's energy usage and look for any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and review things with you before recommending improvements. This specialized evaluation helps you figure out where energy is wasted and how any recommended improvements can bring lasting benefits.
2. Update Your Home's Insulation
Proper insulation is a vital, if surprisingly underrated option for a complete sense of comfort while also optimizing energy use. Insulation strengthens your home’s temperature barrier, working to stop heat loss in the winter and retaining cool air indoors during the summer.
However, most homes could use more 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 greatly enhance energy efficiency for lower heating and cooling costs.
3. Ductwork Sealing and Insulation Stops Energy Waste
Damage to the home’s ductwork is a common, but hidden source of energy loss that lower HVAC system efficiency, regardless of high-efficiency equipment. To recoup these losses and avoid future wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician check ductwork for leaks and seal any gaps or cracks as securely as possible.
If that wasn’t good enough, insulating the ductwork around unfinished spaces such as attics or crawl spaces reduces 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
Choosing a programmable thermostat, and particularly a smart thermostat, enables homeowners to customize their heating and cooling schedules in line with their daily routines and preferences. By automatically adjusting these temperature settings based on your usage habits, these thermostats also optimize energy costs and cut down on waste. Smart thermostats also provide benefits like remote access via mobile devices, or sending 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 peak 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 operate efficiently.
By dealing with repair issues right away and keeping internal clean,your technician will 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 provide homeowners more precise control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning creates 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 maintain consistent temperatures in your home while lessening 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 feature variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to offer superior performance while requiring less energy.
Lanz Furnace and Fireplace is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Ready to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Lanz Furnace and Fireplace at 608-291-3606 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.
