Cooling your home in Greer, South Carolina, accounts for about half of your household’s energy consumption. Heating it often involves the use of fossil fuels like gas and oil, which negatively impact the environment by raising carbon dioxide emissions. The future state of the planet is in your hands. You might assume you must compromise your comfort to reduce your carbon footprint, but you don’t. Read on to learn more.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
If you’re still using an old manual thermostat to control your home’s HVAC system, you’re wasting energy and harming the environment. You’re also paying more than needed to cool and heat your home. With a smart thermostat, you’ll gain more control over your comfort while reducing your carbon footprint. That’s because smart thermostats:
- Allow you to change your home’s temperature remotely to avoid energy waste.
- Include motion sensors that detect when you’re home, active, sleeping or away.
- Send you detailed energy usage reports and tips to decrease consumption.
Invest in Appliances Certified by ENERGY STAR
When shopping for a new appliance in your home, including your HVAC system, look for ENERGY STAR certification. Since 1992, the government-backed program has helped American families and businesses save 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduce 3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 600 million cars. Look for a yellow label when shopping for the appliance.
Consider Installing a Ductless System
Do you live in a small apartment or home? A ductless HVAC system is the most energy-efficient alternative to window air conditioners and space heaters. If you live in a larger house, consider installing a multi-zone ductless HVAC system. By doing so, you’ll avoid cooling or heating empty rooms while being able to customize your temperature preferences in each zone. As a result, your family members will all feel comfortable.
Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to invest in preventive HVAC maintenance regularly. Contact Authorized Heating & Air Conditioning at (864) 281-0141 to learn more.