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

As we approach Earth Day, it's the right time of year to start thinking about how you can make your homes how you can work towards a more sustainable home. There are more options than ever, 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 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 request a professional home energy audit. Over the course of an audit, local HVAC experts examine your home's energy usage and note any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and discuss things with you before recommending improvements. This specialized evaluation helps you learn just where energy is wasted and how our proposed improvements can offer lasting benefits.

Adding More Insulation Can Boost Home Energy Efficiency

Adequate insulation is a crucial, and maybe underrated option for total comfort while simultaneously addressing things causing excessive energy use. Insulation acts as a barrier, preventing heat loss in the winter and holding cool air indoors during the summer.

Unfortunately, most homes would still benefit from adding more insulation. Incorporating additional insulation to attics, walls, floors and basements is the usual strategy. Using high-quality insulation materials like fiberglass, spray foam or cellulose can greatly improve 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 major source of energy waste that can lead to reduced HVAC system efficiency, even with high-efficiency equipment. To address these losses and reduce any wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician inspect ductwork for leaks and seal any openings as securely as possible.

If that wasn’t good enough, 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. Consider the Benefits of a Programmable/Smart Thermostat

Investing in a programmable thermostat, and especially a smart thermostat, allows homeowners to personalize 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 improve energy costs and cut down on waste. Smart thermostats further offer benefits like remote access via mobile devices, or delivering helpful notifications for things like maintenance.

5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance

In fact, regular HVAC maintenance is an essential investment you can make for optimal 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 ensure 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 provide homeowners greater control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning creates different areas of the home to be heated or cooled independently, maximizing comfort and energy usage. Meanwhile, even adjusting fan settings can help maintain consistent temperatures in your home while minimizing the strain 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 an excellent option. The newest HVAC systems employ variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to offer superior performance while consuming less energy.

Ameri-Tec is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable

Ready to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Ameri-Tec at 717-479-4950 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.