The cold comfort that your HVAC unit provides can feel like a lifesaver on hot summer days. But have you ever thought deeply about the environmental harm that the unit causes? Most air conditioning units run on electricity derived from the burning of fossil fuels. Many also use ozone-depleting HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). Luckily, there are several ways to make your HVAC unit more eco-friendly and reduce the environmental risks it poses.
Size Matters
Having an air conditioner that's the right size is great for your comfort as well as the environment. An undersized unit will struggle to balance the cooled air in the condenser with the expended air drawn out from your home by the evaporator. It will waste electricity as it tries to keep the house cool.
Thermostat Scheduling
A programmable thermostat offers an easy way to make your air conditioner greener. Simply program it to turn your AC off when you're away from home and automatically turn it on when you return. That will save a significant amount of energy — and help save the planet.
Proper Maintenance
A clean and well-maintained HVAC system is more environmentally friendly. The recommended maintenance practices you should carry out include:
Regularly replacing dirty filters with clean ones
Having your HVAC unit tuned up by a professional at least once a year
Sealing and adequately insulating your ductwork
Two-Stage Cooling
Typically, it's the compressor of your AC unit that uses the most electricity. It works hard to expel heated vapors to enable the refrigerant to return to its previous cooled state. A two-stage compressor automatically compresses less on the cooler days and more on the hotter days, saving energy. Therefore, when replacing your old unit, it's a great idea to look for a model that has a two-stage cooling option.
Energy Star Certification
When looking for an eco-friendly air conditioner, go for a model that has the Energy Star label. Energy Star-rated products adhere to strict energy-efficiency guidelines.
The environmentally helpful HVAC changes you make, no matter how small, will save you money and help the environment in the long run. If you need environmentally friendly HVAC products and solutions in the Broken Arrow area, please contact the experts at Air Assurance.