More and more, people are becoming concerned about how they impact the planet. From shopping with reusable bags and looking for products with environmentally-friendly packaging, to taking measures in their homes to minimize their carbon footprint, people are looking for ways they can protect the world around them.
The HVAC industry is no different – most manufacturers are looking for more environmentally sound solutions when it comes to the equipment they produce. Advances have been made to create equipment that not only does a better job of keeping people more comfortable but also does so efficiently. In this article, we’ll talk about four technologies that have been developed that can keep you comfortable – and help you create a greener home.
4 Technologies That Can Help You Go Green
As we mentioned above, there are new developments in the HVAC industry every day that strive to minimize the impact of heating and cooling equipment on the environment. Beginning with creating refrigerants that have been proven not to harm the ozone layer, to developing technologies that use much less electricity and fuel than their predecessors, the home comfort industry is moving forward to create products that benefit both the planet and the homeowner.
- Ductless Cooling & Heating: To cool and heat areas in the home where there is little or no access to ductwork, many homeowners are turning to ductless cooling and heating These compact units provide better comfort than most window AC units and space heaters and are very energy-efficient. They can be used for climate control in a single space in the home, or multiple units can be installed to cool and heat the entire house. Today’s units use an environmentally sound refrigerant. As an added bonus, they can be used to help balance out cold and hot spots, allowing your central HVAC system to operate more efficiently. What’s more, most ductless systems use heat pump technology, which we’ll describe in more detail below.
- Heat Pump Systems: Heat pump systems can be used centrally in homes with ductwork, or in ductless units for homes without ductwork. What makes heat pumps better for the environment is the way in which they operate. Heat pumps provide higher efficiency heating and cooling because they transfer hot air as opposed to burning fuel inside your home. Most heat pumps are also extremely environmentally sound, having achieved an Energy Star rating because of their highly energy-efficient operation and because they use a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant.
- Smart Thermostats: There are many different types of thermostats available that can help your home stay comfortable while using less energy. Programmable thermostats, while an older technology, are effective in this way because you can program them to provide different levels of heating and cooling while at home, away, or asleep. Smart thermostats take that technology one step further by “learning” your family’s habits and adjusting the temperature of your home accordingly. In addition, most smart thermostats are Wi-Fi compatible, and can easily be controlled via smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some will even let you know when it’s time to change your HVAC system’s filter – one of the best measures you can take to help your system remain energy efficient.
- Advanced Filters: Another facet of home comfort is the air your family breathes. Cleaner, fresher indoor air is important, and high-efficiency filters can help with that. They remove particulates and contaminants from the air, which keeps your home virtually free of airborne pollen, dust, and germs. And, because the air flowing through your HVAC system is cleaner, you’ll likely find that your system operates more efficiently – helping you save energy and potentially money on your utility bills.
T.F. O’Brien can help you get the environmentally sound products you need.
At T.F. O’Brien, we want to provide our customers with products that not only help them stay as comfortable as possible but also use technologies that are better for the environment. If you’d like to learn more about energy efficiency and how we can help, simply give us a call at 516.488.1800. We’ll be happy to talk to you about your home’s efficiency, and how T.F. O’Brien can assist you.