The HVAC system must be tuned like a fine musical instrument, and that takes regular maintenance, which few Americans give their systems. If anything, we overwork our HVAC systems: 43% of energy use in an average American home goes to heating and cooling (LBNL 2019). The most basic maintenance tasks involve cleaning and replacing air filters, checking for duct leaks and fixing them, and making sure your thermostat is working like it ought to. Did you know HVAC systems account for roughly 6% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions? Maintain or replace your system and do so in an energy-efficient way. Optimize your system and use it wisely, and you will not just save money. You will reduce your carbon footprint.
Another major way to optimize your system for energy savings is to replace it with a new, energy-efficient model. This is particularly sensible if your current unit is older than 10 years, since the efficiencies of HVAC systems have improved dramatically in that time. New systems often come with advanced features that can make a big difference in how much energy is actually used, including:
- Programmable thermostats
- Variable speed motors
These modern features allow for much better control over when and how much the system runs. In using them, you will likely see significant reductions in both your heating and cooling energy consumption. Additionally, many newer models use eco-friendly refrigerants and are just plain designed to run better (or "more efficiently," in the industry parlance).
Your HVAC system can be even more energy efficient if you use smart technology with it. Smart thermostats allow control of the system from anywhere, so they're great for when you're not home. You can set the heating and cooling to automatically respond to when you and your family are here and when you aren't, making it a lot more efficient. Some units actually have energy monitoring capacities, so you can see how your system is behaving and make decisions based on that. If your system is compatible, there's definite potential to save money and energy with these technologies. As with any smart tech solution, the cost of the devices can vary, but using what you already have and plugging in some smart modules can help bring down your energy costs and maybe even pay for themselves.