You Can Still Go ‘Green’ If You Have An HVAC Unit

Many of us who have children worry about the state of the planet we will be leaving them with, and what may lie ahead for future generations. We are aware that HVAC units consume electricity, and we don’t live in a world where renewable energy is a major source of power to our home. However, there are still a good number of simple things you can do which will reduce the size of your carbon footprint from that of a Yeti to something more the size of a ballet dancer!

1. Buy smart. Check the carbon emissions of companies who supply products. Buy local, especially food, as transport adds huge amounts of CO2 to our atmosphere.
2. Plant a tree. If you plant a tree in the right location outside your home, in time it will grow and provide shade when needed most from the blistering heat of the sun in the summer.
3. Temporarily close your chimney flue. If you use an open fire in the winter, then don’t forget to close off the flue in the summer. If you don’t, then much of the cool air your HVAC unit generates will disappear up the chimney!
4. Are all your lightbulbs low-energy ones, or LEDs? You can drastically cut down on your electricity bills, and energy consumption, if you make sure you use the right light bulbs. The good news is that today, energy saving light bulbs don’t take half a day to reach maximum brightness either!
5. Keep an eye on your thermostat. A one-degree reduction in the winter, or one degree increase in the summer of your household temperature can make a remarkable difference to the amount of electricity you use. Use HVAC or your furnace to create a comfortable home environment, but try to avoid reducing or raising the temperature too much when compared to the temperature outside.
6. Is your HVAC unit running efficiently? Get your unit checked regularly to ensure it is working at optimum efficiency.
7. Consider the installation of solar panels. Not only can they save you money and reduce your carbon footprint, but they can also help generate a bit of extra income into the bargain.

Give us a call here at (512) 836-1414 if you want to discuss how you can go greener at home and we’ll be delighted to come out and show you exactly how to do it, and how to reduce your energy bills while we’re there.