Earth Day is an annual international event and an opportunity to consider how we can reduce our environmental impact. For homeowners, HVAC systems often take center stage.
Air conditioning contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through electricity use and refrigerants. Behind AC, heating is the top contributor to the average U.S. household’s carbon footprint. Let’s explore the HVAC choices you can make to reduce that footprint and perhaps save money.
Schedule Seasonal HVAC Maintenance
Most households require two maintenance appointments a year: a heating tune-up in the fall and a cooling tune-up in the spring. Many HVAC warranties require it. It can help you avoid unexpected repairs and take control through preventative repairs.
If you have fuel-burning equipment, seasonal heating maintenance is imperative to avoid issues with toxic gases. The other reason is to minimize how much energy your system consumes. Furnaces with clean burners use less fuel just as heat pumps with clean evaporator coils use less electricity.
Practice Good Filter Habits
The industry rates HVAC filters with the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). It’s important to choose a filter with a MERV rating within the range your system supports. Most modern HVAC systems support at least MERV 8 and many up to MERV 13. A higher MERV rating will result in cleaner equipment and better air quality. That said, an overly high MERV will restrict airflow, which will cause your system to function less efficiently.
A similar effect occurs when an HVAC filter clogs. If you have discardable filters, check them at least once a month and replace them as needed. If you have washable filters, such as many mini-splits do, clean them every two weeks and replace them yearly.
Book Routine Duct Inspections
The average household should schedule a duct camera inspection every other year. During that service, a technician will inspect your ducts with a high-definition camera system. This will reveal problems, such as worn seals, that cause air leakage. If you have duct problems, you can lose between 20% and 40% of your conditioned air through leakage.
Duct sealing is a reliable fix. This is where a technician sprays a non-toxic aerosol into the ducts to close seals and small punctures. Other sealing techniques include mastic sealant and duct tape. Some homes may require more extensive repairs, including replacing panels and mounting hardware. In some cases, duct insulation may significantly improve energy efficiency as well.
Programmable and Smart Thermostats
The Department of Energy (DOE) advises all homeowners to upgrade to a programmable thermostat. These are precise digital thermostats that support modes, schedules, and profiles. The DOE estimates that the average U.S. household can save up 10% annually on heating and cooling costs through programming alone. Consider the potential savings of a thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature while you’re sleeping or away at work.
Smart thermostats support programming along with Wi-Fi, which allows for remote access and control. These models often have additional features through which you can lower energy consumption. That includes energy monitoring, rate awareness, and demand response compatibility. Other notable features include machine learning and predictive maintenance.
Zone Control
The traditional HVAC system has a single zone, which is the entire home. Zoned HVAC systems, on the other hand, have two or more discrete heating and cooling zones. That approach is inherently more efficient because it provides specific control. You don’t have to waste energy heating or cooling a zone for comfort when you’re not using it. The energy savings from this upgrade can be as high as 30% for the average household.
There are several approaches to zoning. The primary approach is to upgrade a central system with a variable-speed blower and duct dampers. That works with furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners. Another way to achieve zoning is by adding a mini-split to a central system. It’s also an option to zone hydronic heating systems, including hot water boilers with radiators.
Whole-House Fans
A whole-house fan can enhance ventilation in a home. It can also improve efficiency by delaying how soon into a cooling season you need to run your AC. There are solar-powered attic fans that minimize the added electricity consumption. You can also opt for a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), which is a more sophisticated whole-house fan. HRVs delay how soon into a heating season you need to run your heating. They can also preheat and, in some cases, precool the fresh air that the system draws into the home.
Eco-Friendly Heating and Cooling Options
When upgrading your home’s HVAC equipment, there are many ways to reduce your environmental impact. The best way will depend on your location and budget.
Furnaces
Electric furnaces offer near 100% efficiency but can be expensive to run. If you want a fully or mainly electric heating system, explore heat pumps instead. Most households with furnaces in this region have fuel-burning systems.
When upgrading, consider a condensing furnace, which has a second heat exchanger to minimize heat losses through the flue. You can also opt for a multi-stage or variable-speed blower. That will allow the furnace to ramp up and down as needed rather than run at a constant speed.
Hydronic Heating Systems
Electric boilers are more efficient, but fuel-burning boilers are cheaper to operate. As with furnaces, there are condensing systems available that can help you curb fuel consumption. Hot water boilers are more efficient than steam boilers. Zone control is an option in either case. Yet, radiant heating is more readily available with hot water boilers.
This is where you have radiant floor panels in select rooms, such as bathrooms, or throughout a home. These panels provide some of the most even heating available and are more efficient than wall and baseboard radiators.
Air Conditioners
The industry uses the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) to measure cooling efficiency over a summer. The DOE sets a minimum SEER for each region, but you’ll find systems with much higher ratings. The higher the SEER, the less electricity your system will use. You can opt for a central AC with or without zone control.
Ductless ACs are an excellent option for older homes without ducts and for targeted cooling. These systems generally have higher SEER ratings than their ducted counterparts because there’s no air leakage.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are essentially ACs that provide heating as well. Geothermal heat pumps, which are the most expensive, provide efficient heating no matter how cold it gets. That isn’t the case with air-source heat pumps, which are cheaper and more prevalent.
Hybrid heating is a common solution. This is where you have a heat pump and furnace. The heat pump provides cooling and the majority of heating for the home. The furnace provides auxiliary heating when it’s too cold for the heat pump to heat efficiently.
Energy-Efficient HVAC Upgrades in American Fork
Since 1910, Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing has been a trusted home services provider in American Fork, UT. Our NATE-certified technicians perform fall heating tune-ups and spring cooling tune-ups. Our installers help area households upgrade to more eco-friendly HVAC systems.
We also specialize in ancillary technologies, including thermostats, humidifiers, and air purifiers. Call today or contact us online to ask questions or schedule an in-home consultation.
