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

As Earth Day comes up, it's the perfect time 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 high efficiency HVAC systems not only benefits the environment but also contributes to bigger savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. Complete a home energy audit

One of the first steps towards an eco-friendly HVAC system is to schedule a professional home energy audit. As part of the audit, local HVAC experts evaluate your home's energy usage and note any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and discuss things with you before offering opinionso on the best improvements. This comprehensive evaluation helps you figure out where energy is wasted and how our proposed improvements can bring lasting benefits.

2. Boosting Energy Efficiency Through Insulation

Having enough insulation is a crucial, if surprisingly underrated option for full-spectrum comfort while also addressing things causing excessive energy use. Insulation strengthens your home’s temperature barrier, preventing heat loss in the winter and holding cool air indoors during the summer.

Unfortunately, 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 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

Damage to the home’s ductwork is a common, but hidden source of energy waste that can lead to reduced HVAC system efficiency, despite having high-efficiency equipment. To recoup these losses and avoid future wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician examine ductwork for leaks and seal any openings as securely as possible.

Additionally, 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 tailor their heating and cooling schedules according to their daily routines and preferences. By gradually optimizing these temperature settings based on your usage habits, these thermostats improve energy costs and minimize waste. Smart thermostats also provide benefits like remote access with your tablet or smartphone, or sending helpful notifications for things like maintenance.

5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance

And speaking of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is perhaps the most effective decision you can make for optimal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should schedule routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can perform inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to ensure their HVAC systems function seamlessly.

By addressing repair issues more quickly and keeping internal clean, you can help safeguard your HVAC system and may even extend its life span.

6. Leverage Zoning Systems and Fan Settings for Enhanced Ventilation

Zoning systems and fan settings provide homeowners greater control over their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. Zoning enables different areas of the home to be heated or cooled independently, maximizing comfort and energy usage. Meanwhile, even adjusting fan settings can help with providing consistent temperatures in your home while minimizing the actual wear and tear on the HVAC system.

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

For homeowners eager to upgrade, 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 deliver superior performance while requiring less energy.

Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable

Eager to make your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. at 419-465-8722 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.