Going Green With HVAC

By Karly Dwenger

Almost everyone looks forward to the hot summer months; it's full of relaxing days by the pool, vacation time, beautiful weather and fun nights spent with family.

However, one downside to summer is the increase in air conditioning usage. According to the Rocky Mountain Institute––an organization that is transforming global energy use for a cleaner future–– air conditioning accounts for nearly 50% of the energy use in the United States during peak summer months, and air conditioning is responsible for nearly 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. There are two kinds of carbon dioxide emissions: natural sources and human sources. Natural sources include decomposition, ocean release and respiration while human sources come from activities like cement production, deforestation as well as the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Although human sources are smaller than the natural sources, they continue to throw off the natural balance. This is because natural sinks remove around the same quantity of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than are produced. Human sources, like air conditioning, give off carbon dioxide without removing any and therefore abuse the natural harmony.

These carbon dioxide emissions have reached a record high this past year in 2017, according to Climate News. The United States in one of the leading countries in emitting these toxins into the air.

So what can you do? There are a few simple ways you can help by looking into your HVAC system and making a small impact on the environment––even a small start can be beneficial.

1. Choose the Right Size

If your heating or cooling unit is too large or too small, it can dramatically effect your energy usage. If it is too large for your home, it will frequently cycle on and off, which will waste energy. If the air conditioner is too small, it will have to work harder and run longer, costing you comfort and money and costing the environment as well.

2. Choose a Programmable Thermostat

Instead of a manual thermostat, you can keep the temperature set at an energy-saving set point while you are at work or sleeping or on vacation. Most new models allow you to have smart home capabilities by connecting them to a Google Home or Amazon's Alexa. A user interface on your phone allows for convenience and quick adjustments from any location. When properly used, a programmable thermostat can save you about $100 every year in energy costs. If you don't already have one they are absolutely worth checking out.

3. Choose Air Flow

Proper installation is everything and is the easiest way to reduce your energy use. A correctly installed unit will affect how well your system provides comfort and savings. Choosing a trusted and experienced company like Air-Flow is your best choice to ensure an efficient unit, therefore saving time, money, energy and our environment.