Making Your Home More Eco-Friendly, Try These Six HVAC Tips

As Earth Day comes up, it's a great opportunity to start planning how you can make your homes greener and more efficient. There are lots of great options, and having so many possible 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. Complete a home energy audit

An easy way to start planning your 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 discuss things with you before suggesting improvements. This detailed evaluation helps you learn just where energy is wasted and how any recommended improvements can offer lasting benefits.

2. Boosting Energy Efficiency Through Insulation

Adequate insulation is an essential, if surprisingly underrated option for a complete sense of comfort while also optimizing energy use. Insulation functions kind of like a shield for your HVAC system, helping to prevent heat loss in the winter and retaining cool air indoors during the summer.

Surprisingly, most homes don’t have enough 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 greatly boost energy efficiency for lower heating and cooling costs.

3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss

Damage to the home’s ductwork is a major source of energy waste that lower HVAC system efficiency, despite having 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.

Additionally, insulating the ductwork around unfinished 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

Investing in a programmable thermostat, and especially a smart thermostat, enables homeowners to tailor their heating and cooling schedules in line with their daily routines and preferences. By gradually optimizing these temperature settings according to your usage habits, these thermostats reduce energy costs and cut down on waste. Smart thermostats further offer benefits like remote access with your tablet or smartphone, or sending helpful notifications for things like maintenance.

5. Prioritize Regular HVAC Maintenance

In fact, regular HVAC maintenance is perhaps the most effective decision you can make for ideal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should plan routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can perform 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,we can help protect 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 separates different areas of the home to be heated or cooled independently, optimizing 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. Think About 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 feature variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to offer superior performance while consuming less energy.

I-Deal HVAC Can Help Your Home Be More Sustainable

Looking to turn your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact I-Deal HVAC at 505-445-1250 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.