Every home impacts the environment. Virtually all these households (particularly in the industrialized world) have some sort of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
It’s time to pay attention to HVAC tips to save energy. As sustainable living becomes more important, companies are doing their best to meet consumers’ eco-friendly demands.
Those who live sustainably help keep the environment clean. They also benefit from saving money on utility bills. Without spending much money, you can use these 5 HVAC tips to save energy in your eco-friendly home.
HVAC Tips to Save Energy #1: Seal Doors and Windows
A quick and easy way to make your home more energy efficient is to seal your doors and windows. Your HVAC system’s job is to heat, cool and ventilate your home. It can’t do its job if the warm or cool air it puts out is just leaking out of your house through broken seals.
Tightly seal your doors and windows. Check for cracks and gaps around all doors and windows. Use caulking or weather stripping to seal them shut. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure that the air your HVAC system puts out isn’t going to waste.
Tip #2: Use Natural Energy When Possible
The sunlight is free and renewable — so use it! Take advantage of every sunny day you have. Open up the curtains and blinds to give your HVAC system a break. The sunshine will warm your home, and it will let in light, which allows you to turn off the light switches during the day.
At night, you can close your curtains and blinds to keep in the “solar gain” heat inside. The natural heat allows you to warm your home without using up energy to turn on the HVAC system.
HVAC Tips to Save Energy #3: Turn Down the Thermostat
How often do you leave your house or rooms in your home at a consistent temperature? Do you leave the thermostat set at the same temperature even when no one is home?
During the day, when no one is home, turn down the thermostat. Just turning it down a few degrees saves on heating costs and energy.
Programmable smart thermostats make this easier than ever. After installing one, you can set the times during the day when you won’t be home. When you arrive back home, the thermostat turns the heat on to make your home comfortable. You can even control some thermostats from anywhere on your phone.
Tip #4: Get Regular Maintenance on Your HVAC System to Save Energy
Regular maintenance on your HVAC system will keep it functioning for longer, and it makes your home more eco-friendly. You certainly don’t want your system to stop working on a cold day. You also don’t want it to be sucking away energy, especially if there’s an easy fix to make the system more energy efficient.
You should regularly clean your HVAC unit. Replace filters and make sure nothing is blocking the system. There are other tasks you should leave up to a professional, but by maintaining the system, energy costs will decrease and it can operate at maximum efficiency.
Tip #5: Choose the Right Sized System
Consider the size of your home when you choose an HVAC system. Often, people install systems that are too large or too small for the indoor area. If the unit isn’t the right size, it ends up consuming more energy than necessary to heat or cool your home.
Talk to a professional before choosing an HVAC unit. This helps you save energy and costs in the future to ensure you have an eco-friendly home.
HVAC Sustainability Is Possible
Using these considerations, your home will be more sustainable than ever. Everyone wants to do what they can to save energy and keep the bills low. Doing so contributes to a healthier and cleaner environment.
After you have followed these 5 HVAC tips to save energy, read how to Transform Cabinets with DIY Pull Out Shelves.
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Cora Gold inspires others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – a website that celebrates everyday moments. Cora has spent more than 5 years writing for numerous lifestyle sites about the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Pinterest and Facebook.
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