Due to heating and cooling being one of the primary energy expenses for households, homeowners should make every effort possible to make their HVAC systems more energy-efficient.
Tax credits, affordable smart thermostats, and anti-viral filters are just a few ways homeowners can reduce HVAC energy consumption. Not only that, but energy efficient models or parts are quieter than their older counterparts, allowing you to enjoy all their advantages without all the humming and buzzing that used to accompany them – but that’s not all.
Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers, which connect to HVAC ductwork and remove indoor air pollution such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), surface contaminants, pet dander and odors from homes quickly, are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. Not only are these low maintenance devices beneficial, they’re also extremely energy efficient using roughly the same amount of electricity as an LED light bulb would consume.
An air scrubber acts like an extremely effective air purifier, purifying all areas of a house. This technology has become extremely popular over the past several years because of its ability to reduce allergies, respiratory issues and health problems caused by mold, bacteria, pollen or VOCs.
This technology works by converting ozone into water molecules. This creates a vapor those bonds with air pollutants within your home, breaking their molecular bonds. As a result, these heavy vapors become too heavy to stay airborne and fall to either the ground or your HVAC system’s vents for disposal.
Digital Zoning
Digital zoning is an HVAC solution that allows you to better regulate airflow throughout your property, saving energy by not heating or cooling unoccupied rooms. With digital zoning you can save money, improve energy efficiency and enhance comfort for occupants – not to mention protect against overworking your system which prolongs its lifespan and decreases maintenance costs!
Zoning systems work by installing dampers in your ductwork that open and close as necessary, connected to a central control panel that regulates your thermostats. Once set to an individual temperature setting, these dampers open or close based on heating or cooling needs in each room so only those rooms needing it are heated or cooled.
Not only can zoning systems save energy, they can also eliminate those pesky hot and cold spots in your house that often come from appliances, high or cathedral ceilings, shading or wind chill. Some professional HVAC services can assist in choosing an HVAC zoning system suited specifically to your home. This can be any brand like Keen EZ or Ecovent Whole Home Zoning Systems – a system with great success in the world.
Access Door HVAC
Access doors and panels provide important protection from dust, rodents, and other environmental elements that may threaten your building’s ventilation systems. They can conceal vital building components without impacting interior designs aesthetically – saving money both in repair costs and energy bills long term.
Access doors for ducts are made from durable materials to ensure they can withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as high temperatures, fire, or contamination from external sources. Choose between standard access doors, fire rated access panels, walk-in models and even options that come equipped with insulation or non-isolation features depending on your specific needs.
Grease duct access doors, for instance, can withstand high temperatures to protect against fire hazards and meet NFPA 96 standards. They’re an ideal fit for use in kitchen restaurants or any environment where high heat levels exist, with their ceramic fiber gasket designed to withstand such high temps while resisting grease buildup.
Wallboard access doors are another popular choice, providing technicians with entry to walls without altering their appearance. This type of entry door works particularly well in commercial spaces that do not need to meet stringent aesthetic standards.
Energy-Efficient Filters
Effective filters not only save energy, they are also key in protecting against viruses and bacteria circulating in your home and more effective at eliminating odors than standard ones. Filters with higher MERV ratings (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) tend to be more energy-saving; however, make sure your HVAC system can support such higher ratings before purchasing and installing them.
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating (https://www.bobvila.com/articles/merv-ratings/), measures how effectively air filters block smaller airborne pollutants from entering HVAC systems and indoor spaces. MERV ratings range from one to 16 depending on particle size trapped by filters – lower MERV ratings indicate less likelihood that smaller particles will be blocked by them.
Filters that become dirty cause resistance that forces fans to work harder pushing air through them, leading to a significant drop in air pressure in your home and necessitating an increase in AC system use in response. High-efficiency filters help ensure air pressure doesn’t fluctuate significantly as frequently and enable systems to maintain energy efficiency more easily.
People have historically been guided by initial costs when selecting filters. But this may not be the best approach to long-term energy savings; choosing one with higher initial costs that reduce energy usage over time might be more efficient.
