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

As we approach Earth Day, it's the perfect time 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 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 long-term 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. As part of the audit, local HVAC experts assess your home's energy usage and identify any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and go over things with you before recommending improvements. This detailed evaluation helps you understand precisely where energy is wasted and how any recommended improvements can bring lasting benefits.

Adding More Insulation Can Boost Home Energy Efficiency

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.

Unfortunately, most homes would still benefit from adding more 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 significantly boost energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.

3. Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork to Prevent Energy Loss

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 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.

Additionally, insulating the ductwork in 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

Opting for a programmable thermostat, and particularly a smart thermostat, allows homeowners to customize their heating and cooling schedules in line with their daily routines and preferences. By automatically adjusting these temperature settings in response to 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 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 addressing repair issues more quickly and keeping internal clean,your technician will help support 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 offer homeowners more room-room-room 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. Meanwhile, even adjusting fan settings can help maintain consistent temperatures in your home while lessening the actual wear and tear on the HVAC system.

7. Consider Upgrading to a New, High-Efficiency HVAC System

For homeowners looking for major improvements, 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 requiring less energy.

Done Right Air is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable

Looking to turn your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Done Right Air at 414-208-9000 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.