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

With the celebration of Earth Day a short time ago and spring cleaning on the minds of a lot of homeowners, it’s a great 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 costs. Here, the home-efficiency gurus from share techniques on how to start saving now.

1. Use a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat typically saves between 12% to 23% on an electricity bill, and it’s also a remarkable tool to reduce carbon emissions from a household. How do they do it? Smart thermostats provide more functions than simply programming the time of day for your HVAC system to turn on or off. A number of smart thermostats are intuitive and can identify changes in power use patterns and home activity. They can also be programmed from another location, and can be programmed to send a notification to 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. Schedule a Heating and Cooling System Tune-up

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

A routine servicing involves cleaning all of the system’s important components, in addition to testing and making adjustments to the unit’s operating system. In addition to checking refrigerant levels and changing out air filters, the outdoor condenser should also be cleaned and examined.

“During your tune-up, it’s a great time to tap the expertise of an HVAC pro,” noted 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

Putting insulation in a home is an eco-friendly tip that could help save up to 20% on a utility bill. In many homes, air gets out through attics, crawl spaces and basements. If a room is drafty and has problems holding a consistent temperature, it may be time to check attic insulation. Cold floors may also be a sign that basement insulation isn’t sufficient. All of these worries also lead to additional 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. Ensure Your Home Is Airtight

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

5. Use An Energy Zoning System

To create 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 have. The HVAC pro can then design a system that correctly distributes air throughout the home balancing comfort and energy efficiency. These systems usually utilize numerous thermostats and adjustments to the ductwork. When coupled with a smart thermostat, they can dramatically improve comfort, save customers more than 30% on their energy bill and greatly 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. Install Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

If a homeowner’s spending plan doesn’t permit for major upgrades, replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs is an affordable eco-friendly decision with a large impact on the environment. Most LEDs will last up to seven years and use about 90% less energy than traditional bulbs.

7. Go Solar

With as much as 30% in federal tax credits available to lower 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 homeowner’s cumulative 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.

To learn more about tips to make a home more energy efficient, visit Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.