As we get closer to Earth Day, it's the right time of year to start planning 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 available solutions ensures there’s one that matches your budget. Investing in high efficiency HVAC systems not only benefits the environment but also contributes to long-term savings and a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. Complete a home energy audit

An easy way to start planning your eco-friendly HVAC system is to request a professional home energy audit. During the audit, local HVAC experts assess your home's energy usage and identify any inefficiencies. They’ll take what they find and review things with you before recommending improvements. This comprehensive evaluation helps you figure out where energy is wasted and how our proposed improvements can offer lasting benefits.

2. Update Your Home's Insulation

Adequate insulation is a crucial, and maybe underrated option for a complete sense of comfort while also optimizing energy use. Insulation strengthens your home’s temperature barrier, preventing heat loss in the winter and retaining cool air indoors during the summer.

However, 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 enhance energy efficiency for reduced heating and cooling costs.

3. Ductwork Sealing and Insulation Stops Energy Waste

Damage to the home’s ductwork is a major source of energy loss that lower HVAC system efficiency, regardless of high-efficiency equipment. To recoup these losses and prevent any more wasted energy, homeowners should have a technician examine ductwork for leaks and seal any damage as securely as possible.

If that wasn’t good enough, insulating the ductwork in spaces such as attics or crawl spaces helps prevent 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

Opting for a programmable thermostat, and particularly a smart thermostat, allows homeowners to customize their heating and cooling schedules in line with their daily routines and preferences. By automatically adjusting these temperature settings in response to your usage habits, these thermostats also optimize energy costs and stop waste. Smart thermostats further offer benefits like remote access with your tablet or smartphone, or delivering helpful notifications for things like maintenance.

5. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance

On the topic of maintenance, regular HVAC maintenance is perhaps the most effective decision you can make for optimal system performance and energy efficiency. Homeowners should arrange for routine tune-ups with local professionals, who can conduct inspections, filter changes, and other tasks to make sure their HVAC systems operate efficiently.

By dealing with repair issues more quickly and keeping internal clean,your technician will 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 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 maintain consistent temperatures in your home while reducing the workload 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 highly recommended. The newest HVAC systems employ variable-speed motors, heat pump technology, and other innovations to offer superior performance while requiring less energy.

Stieferman Heating Company Inc is Here to Make Your Home More Sustainable

Ready to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven? Contact Stieferman Heating Company Inc at 573-635-3547 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.