7 Tips for a More Earth-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Home

With the celebration of Earth Day a few weeks ago and spring cleaning on the minds of many homeowners, it’s an ideal time to make homes more earth-friendly and energy efficient. The fact is, with only a few small, economical changes, homeowners could be on their way to saving 20% or more on monthly energy bills. Here, the home-efficiency pros from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning share techniques on how to start saving today.

1. Use a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat normally saves between 12% to 23% on an electricity bill, and it’s also a very good tool to lower carbon emissions from a residence. How do they do it? Smart thermostats go beyond only programming the time of day for the system to turn on or off. Several smart thermostats are intuitive and can recognize changes in energy usage patterns and home activity. They can also be programmed from another location, and alert homeowners about changes that may affect their energy bill.

“This technology saves you money and also makes life easier,” said Service Experts’ Lisa Lange. “It’s a low-cost way to improve energy efficiency in your home immediately.”

2. Hire a Professional to Perform a Heating and Cooling System Tune-up

Before the summer heat hits, another eco-friendly move is to set up an air-conditioning system tune-up. It will help homeowners avoid costly repairs during the busy season for HVAC professionals and a system that performs optimally minimizes reliance on fossil fuel energy sources.

A routine maintenance appointment involves cleaning all of the system’s key components, plus testing and making adjustments to the unit’s operating system. In addition to checking refrigerant levels and changing out air filters, the condenser located outdoors should also be cleaned and checked.

“During your tune-up, it’s a great time to tap the expertise of an HVAC pro,” explained Lisa Lange. “We encourage customers to ask about thermostat settings, when to change air filters and bring any other questions they may have about the energy efficiency of their home.”

3. Add Insulation

Adding insulation to a home is an eco-friendly tip that could help save up to 20% on a power bill. In many residences, air leaks out through attics, crawl spaces and basements. If a room is drafty and has trouble keeping a consistent temperature, it may be time to examine the building’s attic insulation. Cold floors might also be a sign that basement insulation isn’t satisfactory. All of these problems also lead to increased energy consumption, which leads to increased carbon emissions.

“Many homeowners are surprised when they learn their home is under-insulated, but it’s actually quite common,” said Lange. “The good news is that, just like a smart thermostat, you can see the utility cost savings from this decision very quickly. You will also take comfort in knowing that you are helping improve our environment through reduced emissions.

4. Make Sure Your Residence Is Airtight

Windows, ductwork, light sockets and weather stripping around doors are all locations in the home subject to leaks and heat loss or gain (in summer, no one wants muggy air seeping in). Let Earth Day be a reminder to green up these areas of the house by making some easy repairs. Swapping out old weather stripping and caulking around windows are two economical tasks that are fairly easy to tackle, said Lange, and will lessen the load on HVAC systems and the electrical grid too.

5. Consider An Energy Zoning System

To develop a comfort zoning system for a home, a certified HVAC Expert identifies areas in a house based on its layout, sun exposures and the amount of energy demand different areas need. The HVAC pro can then design a system that properly distributes air throughout the home harmonizing comfort and energy efficiency. These systems commonly utilize several thermostats and adjustments to the ductwork. When joined with a smart thermostat, they can dramatically improve comfort, save customers more than 30% on their energy bill and noticeably reduce a home’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“How many times in a day do we heat or cool a room no one is using? It happens all the time, and it adds up to significant energy waste, and these systems are an optimal solution,” Lange said.

6. Buy Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

If a homeowner’s finances don’t permit for major upgrades, replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs is an inexpensive eco-friendly decision with a large impact on the environment. The majority of LEDs will last up to seven years and use about 90% less power than traditional bulbs.

7. Consider Solar Energy

With as much as 30% in federal tax credits available to bring down the cost of a solar installation, there may never be a better time to install one on a home. Over their lifetime, these quality energy-producing systems can generate an average savings of about $60,000 and greatly reduce a household’s total carbon footprint.

“We have the best program in the country. Our experts will develop an energy savings plan that will help you get the most out of your system and show you’re making a direct positive impact on the environment,” Lange said.

For more information about tips to make a home more energy efficient, visit Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today.