It’s clear that environmentally friendly products, practices and trends are only going to increase in popularity as people look for ways to save money and reduce their impact on the earth. In the HVAC world, this trend has resulted in some exciting new green technology.
Smart tech, like programmable and habit-learning thermostats, have already become a major force in the industry. Solar panels and powering systems have been around for years as well. But here are a few eco-conscious developments you may not have heard about:
DEVAP dehumidifiers. A new type of cooling system, DEVAP stands for “Desiccant Enhanced Evaporative.” A “desiccant” is a substance that absorbs water from the air or other surroundings, which is how DEVAP HVAC systems function. Essentially, they cool the air by evaporating water into it, then dry the air using a desiccant so the system isn’t overly humid. DEVAP systems are greener in two ways: They use less energy to operate and they do not involve harmful refrigerants.
Geothermal systems. This type of HVAC system has actually been around for more than 60 years but has recently been enjoying a resurgence of popularity, due to the fact that geothermal heat pumps can heat and cool a building without burning any fuel – thus eliminating greenhouse gases. They do this by circulating water through pipes running deep under the home or commercial building, which utilizes the natural heat within the earth. Heat is either extracted from the water to warm the air (in the winter) or pushed back through the pipes and into the earth to cool the air (in the summer). The upfront costs of installing a geothermal system on existing buildings can be prohibitive (although they provide long-term savings), but they are a great option for new builds.
Reusable air filters. We wrote about the benefits of this new type of filter recently.
Good habits and maintenance. Yes, habits. Until you are ready for a big overhaul, developing better habits is the easiest and cheapest way to go green. This includes things like unplugging devices so they do not continue to draw on your utilities, managing your temperature regularly to maximize system efficiency, replacing worn-out insulation to keep your HVAC from overworking, and more. Plus, once a system is in place, proper maintenance is typically a greener option than a full replacement would be.
If you want to make an appointment to check out the maintenance of your HVAC system and figure out the best, most environmentally friendly options going forward, give us a call at (800) 832-0758.