More and more people are now looking into making their homes greener. Households all over the world have begun to understand the connection between making environmentally responsible choices, saving money and contributing to saving the planet. There are many ways that you can do this, from gardening to practicing garbage segregation to recycling to using more natural, organic products.
As the effects of climate change continue to be felt all over the world, a critical area of focus when it comes to building greener homes is making more eco-friendly decisions on the use of energy. Cooling and heating systems represent a huge part of energy use in most households. Thus, by reducing the energy being used for your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, you can expect a significant amount of reduction in your power consumption.
While small changes matter (such as turning off the air-conditioner when not in use or putting the thermostat at a level that will ensure maximum efficiency), you will need to make bigger investments to see bigger payoffs. Some of these high-impact investments include the following.
Furnace repair or replacement. A technician can do a comprehensive assessment of your furnace to check if all parts of the venting system are still working efficiently. A combustion efficiency test can be done to see if repairs or upgrades are in order. Also, the technician will provide advice on the best air temperature settings depending on various factors such as the climate, condition of your home and layout of the indoor areas. Through preventive checks and repair, you can ensure that your furnace is performing in the most energy conservative manner. Sometimes, a furnace repair may be the best option to save power consumption, as modern furnace systems can achieve up to 98% efficiency.
AC assessment. Having your cooling systems checked by skilled HVAC contractors can not only help you cut down energy use, but also prevent the presence of fire or leak hazards in your home. The technician can also determine if the AC units in your property can still be used, as some state laws allow A/C units to operate onlyup to a specified number of years. More than merely being compliant, installation of newer, more modern air-conditioning systems can also cut down energy use and cost by 20 percent.
Insulation services.Even with an efficient heating system, your home can still lose heat by as much as 25% due to heat loss through the roof and attic. An insulation inspection will let you know exactly where the escape points of heat in your home are, and how to prevent further loss. You may be asked to invest in additional insulation and radiant barriers to keep the indoor temperature more stable, which in turn will help you cut energy consumption or cooling systems by 5 to 10 percent, especially if it’s summer or if you are situated in a warm location.