First of all, thank you. Since you’re reading this, we know that you’re striving to make sure you have an eco-friendly home. And that helps everyone.
It’s likely that you also use your recycle bin and that you only buy energy-efficient lightbulbs. But did you know that there are a lot of ways in which your HVAC system affects the environment, too?
As such, we’ve made you a list of steps you can follow to go green with your HVAC usage. Plus, when you heat and cool your home more efficiently, it keeps you more comfortable, anyway. Read on to learn these green HVAC habits.
1. Change Your Air Filter Regularly
As a homeowner or tenant, the main HVAC maintenance task you need to perform is to change the air filter as needed. This should be done every two or three months, in general. However, yours might need to be changed more frequently during seasons of heavy use.
When you don’t change the filter often enough, it gets overfull with indoor air pollutants like dust. Then, it blocks the airflow of your system. This causes your HVAC to work harder and less efficiently, which uses more energy.
2. Get Professional Maintenance Biannually
Like the air filter, there are many other factors that cause your system to run less efficiently over time. But these factors are not things that you can deal with yourself.
That’s why you need professional HVAC maintenance services. This should be done just before each heating and cooling season to ensure the maximum efficiency of your HVAC.
3. Use Your Thermostat
Your thermostat should be set appropriately to avoid energy waste. For example, if you’re out of the house all day, and no one else is home, stop letting the AC run all day. Instead, program the AC to start about half an hour before you get home.
However, if you have plants and animals in the house, you’ll still need to keep it running. But consider setting it a few degrees warmer/cooler, depending on the season. This will at least save a little energy.
4. Shut Unnecessary Vents
Guest rooms that aren’t in use have no need for heating or cooling. Keep the supply vents and the doors of these rooms shut whenever no one is using them.
5. Upgrade Your Old HVAC
An HVAC that’s 10 years old or older is not running as efficiently as it used to. Besides, newer systems are available that are more efficient than your old system ever was. Thus, if your HVAC is 10-15 years old, start looking to have it replaced.
Use These HVAC Tips For a More Eco-Friendly Home
With these tips, you get an eco-friendly home without sacrificing comfort. And, please, share this guide with others so that they can help the planet, too.
Loyd Haley has over 68 years of experience as an expert HVAC technician. Today, he and his two sons still provide the most competent service in and around Houston, TX.
If you have any HVAC service needs, we’ll handle them. Contact us here to request a service and get an estimate.
