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

As Earth Day comes up, it's the right time of year to start thinking about how you can make your homes greener and more efficient. There are more options than ever, and having so many available 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

One of the first steps towards an eco-friendly HVAC system is to book a professional home energy audit. During the audit, local HVAC experts assess your home's energy usage and note any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and go over things with you before suggesting improvements. This detailed evaluation helps you figure out where energy is wasted and how our proposed improvements can offer lasting benefits.

Adding More Insulation Can Boost Home Energy Efficiency

Proper insulation is an essential, if surprisingly underrated option for total comfort while simultaneously optimizing energy use. Insulation strengthens your home’s temperature barrier, helping to prevent heat loss in the winter and keeping cool air indoors during the summer.

However, 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 such as fiberglass, spray foam or cellulose can greatly improve energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.

3. Ductwork Sealing and Insulation Stops Energy Waste

Damage to the 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 reduce any wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician examine 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. Consider the Benefits of a Programmable/Smart Thermostat

Investing in a programmable thermostat, and especially a smart thermostat, enables homeowners to personalize 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 reduce energy costs and stop 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

On the topic of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is one of the most beneficial investments you can make for optimal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should arrange for routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can carry out 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 protect 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, 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 lessening 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.

Knoechel Heating is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable

Looking to turn your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Knoechel Heating at 724-425-5852 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 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.