As Earth Day comes up, it's the perfect time to start planning how you can make your homes greener and more efficient. You’ll be impressed by the variety, 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 cost 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. As part of the audit, local HVAC experts assess your home's energy usage and look for any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and go over things with you before suggesting improvements. This specialized evaluation helps you understand precisely where energy is wasted and how our proposed improvements can bring lasting benefits.
Adding More Insulation Can Boost Home Energy Efficiency
Proper insulation is a vital, if surprisingly underrated option for total comfort while at the same time fine-tuning your home’s average energy use. Insulation acts as a barrier, working to stop heat loss in the winter and holding cool air indoors during the summer.
Surprisingly, 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 dramatically boost energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.
3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss
Leaky ductwork is an often overlooked source of energy waste 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 openings as securely as possible.
As another benefit, insulating the ductwork in 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. Investing in a Smart Thermostat
Investing in 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 in response to your usage habits, these thermostats improve energy costs and stop waste. Smart thermostats can also offer benefits like remote access with your tablet or smartphone, or delivering helpful notifications for things like maintenance.
5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance
And speaking of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is one of the most beneficial investments you can make for peak system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should schedule routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can conduct inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to make sure their HVAC systems function seamlessly.
By dealing with repair issues promptly and keeping internal clean,your technician will help safeguard 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 give 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. Meanwhile, 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 utilize variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to provide superior performance while consuming less energy.
Dearing's Service & Solutions is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Ready to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Dearing's Service & Solutions at 812-200-5844 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 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.