Go Green With HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Maintenance

Did you realize that nearly half the energy used at home is consumed by your HVAC system? Now imagine how hard your system is working to keep you comfortable if the coils and air ducts are covered or clogged with dust.

What Can You Do?

Properly maintaining your heating and air conditioning system with routine maintenance can increase efficiency while decreasing your energy bills. There are many ways to “go green” at home, but one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways is with a tune-up. After you’ve taken the appropriate steps by having a tune-up, once in the spring and once in the fall, you can take additional steps to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly home with a few energy saving solutions.

Follow these suggestions from Aire Serv to create a more “green,” energy efficient home:

• Install a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature when home or away. Why heat or cool your house when nobody is home?

• Use high efficiency air filters to help your air conditioning system stay cleaner longer.

• Plant trees or shrubs to shade the air conditioning unit, but not so close that they block air flow.

• Have your professional air conditioning provider clean your unit's coils regularly - about every six months – to prevent dirt and dust build-up.

• Check the attic, crawl space, or basement to make sure it’s properly insulated.

• If installing a new unit, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) number on air conditioners. Some units manufactured about 10 years ago were in the 10 SEER range while many units today are in the 20 SEER range. Going from a 10 to 20 SEER will lower your home's cooling costs by about half.

• If installing a new HVAC unit, consider donation or recycling. A unit in working order can be donated and non-functioning pieces can be picked-up by your municipal solid waste agency or Steel Recycling Institute. Go to recycle-steel.org or visit earth911.org for more local options.

Rules and Regulations

In an effort to encourage sustainable products, another change you should be aware of is the phase out of R-22, the refrigerant most commonly used in today’s heating and cooling units. Beginning January 2010, all new units will be required to use “environmentally sound” refrigerant, such as R-410A. The phase out has been mandated by the government in an effort to help protect the Earth’s ozone layer.

By switching to the more economically and environmentally friendly R-410A, you can also protect yourself from the potentially higher costs of servicing an air conditioner or heating unit that uses R-22.

Contact Us

Remember, finding energy solutions at home doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your comfort. You can save money while being “green” and staying comfortable. For more information on the refrigerant change or on how you can save money on your next energy bill, call 1-800-863-5217, contact your local Aire Serv, or request an appointment today!