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

As we get closer to Earth Day, it's the perfect time to start thinking about how you can make your homes how you can work towards a more sustainable home. You’ll be impressed by the variety, and having so many potential solutions ensures there’s one that matches your budget. Adopting greener HVAC solutions not only benefits the environment but also contributes to long-term savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. Request a home energy audit

One of the first steps towards an 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 note any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and go over things with you before offering opinionso on the best improvements. This detailed evaluation helps you figure out where energy is wasted and how these improvements can provide lasting benefits.

2. Boosting Energy Efficiency Through Insulation

Having enough insulation is an essential, if surprisingly underrated option for full-spectrum comfort while simultaneously fine-tuning your home’s average energy use. Insulation functions kind of like a shield for your HVAC system, preventing heat loss in the winter and retaining cool air indoors during the summer.

Unfortunately, most homes could use more 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 significantly improve energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.

3. Ductwork Sealing and Insulation Stops Energy Waste

A leak in your home’s ductwork is a common, but hidden source of energy waste that can lead to reduced HVAC system efficiency, even with high-efficiency equipment. To recoup these losses and prevent any more wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician check ductwork for leaks and seal any damage as securely as possible.

Additionally, insulating the ductwork in spaces such as attics or crawl spaces minimizes 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 particularly a smart thermostat, allows homeowners to customize their heating and cooling schedules according to their daily routines and preferences. By automatically adjusting these temperature settings based on your usage habits, these thermostats reduce energy costs and cut down on waste. Smart thermostats also provide benefits like remote access with your tablet or smartphone, or sending helpful notifications for things like maintenance.

5. Prioritize Regular HVAC Maintenance

And speaking of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is an essential investment you can make for ideal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should plan routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can conduct inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to ensure their HVAC systems operate efficiently.

By tackling repair issues right away and keeping internal clean,we can help safeguard your HVAC system and may even prolong 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. And to support the zoning system’s airflow, even adjusting fan settings can help maintain 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 ready to take the next step, installing a new, high-efficiency HVAC system is an excellent option. The newest HVAC systems feature variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to offer superior performance while using less energy.

J.L. Brady Company LLC Can Help Your Home Be More Sustainable

Eager to make your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact J.L. Brady Company LLC at 309-517-7511 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.