Eco-Friendly HVAC Tips
If you’re trying to do your part to make choices in your home that are good for the environment, you’ll also want to consider these eco-friendly HVAC tips. Your furnace and air conditioner use about half of your home’s energy use, so decisions made regarding your HVAC system will affect your budget as well as the planet. Here are a few things you can do to keep your system working effectively and keep your utility bills under control.
- Get annual HVAC inspections to find out if your air conditioner and furnace are in good working order
- Inspect your air vents and ductwork to make sure there are no blockages or leaks that can restrict proper airflow to every room in the house. Right now, we have a FREE ductwork inspection going on until the end of April.
- Add insulation to prevents air leaks, keeping warm air out and cool air in.
- Use ceiling fans to delay the use of your A/C in the summer. If you have a reverse (clockwise) option, use on low speed in the winter to help warm air distribute evenly through the room.
- Adjust your programmable thermostat to suit your exact needs season to season. Remember that raising the temperature by only 1 degree in the summer can save up to 10% on your cooling bill.
- If your HVAC system is more than 8-10 years old, consider replacement. Air conditioning made before 2010 may still use R-22, which is known to contribute to the greenhouse effect. Newer furnaces are considerably more energy efficient than those made a decade ago. Plus, we have 0% interest for 60 months on select units or find out about installing a geothermal unit.
- Install solar screens (cuts down on energy costs by allowing you to produce some of your own electricity).
- Purchase rooftop solar shingles to offset energy use.
It’s tempting to try to make too many changes all at once when you’re ready to minimize your carbon footprint. But it’s probably better to take on a few of these tips to begin with, and make them a part of your everyday life. Once you see the benefits of adopting these eco-friendly HVAC tips, you’ll find it easier to make larger changes in your life.
