Greenhouse emissions are a pressing concern that many have become more aware of as time has progressedб, and one of the causes of this is the influence of the HVAC systems.
Unfortunately, it could not only negatively affect the environment, but it also involves a lot of non-efficient tendencies that drive up the costs for consumers hence why an HVAC contractor in Sacramento, CA would be needed to effect change.
If you’re concerned about living a greener life and you need help, it comes in the form of several measures contractors can take to improve things, according to Alpha Mechanical.
Let’s take a look here at the measures in detail to see just how they can help you and the environment. The hope is that you’ll have a few options to consider if sustainable living is a goal of yours!
What Comes With Sustainability?
For many, a greener life isn’t as pressing a concern, as it is for others, hence their lack of desire to take the sustainability measures we’re about to discuss.
However, if there’s one thing that might convince you to be more sustainable, it’s the fact that the measures below also promote efficiency. With efficiency comes the great benefit which is cost-effectiveness, which is a goal many want to achieve.
What Can Be Done?
Before we get into it, it’s important to know why sustainability in regards to HVAC is a thing to begin with. Air conditioning accounts for 4 percent of greenhouse emissions, mainly due to the hydrofluorocarbons that their refrigerants are made of.
Furnaces may also be included in HVAC systems, and they also use greenhouse gas-emitting fuels to heat the buildings they’re in, so concern for it is pretty valid.
This shows that the space is generally unsustainable and if you’re trying to live in an opposite manner, changes and preventative actions should be made. Among these are the following, that a contractor looking to effect change would offer:
- Having regular maintenance
- Improving efficiency by seeking out highly rated-equipment
- Seeking renewable energy sources to power your system
- Seeking alternative heating methods
Regular Check-ups and Maintenance
One of the biggest things that can cause increased emissions from HVAC systems is a lack of maintenance. If HVAC Contractors aren’t called regularly to check for leaks and airflow issues within the system, inefficiency will only continue.
With regular maintenance, the system runs efficiently, which helps the environment by avoiding wattage and lowering your costs.
Seeking Out the Best Equipment
As the previous point has demonstrated, there’s a direct correlation between efficiency and overall sustainability. So, how can the HVAC service you choose to help in a situation where they’re not fixing a system, but fitting one in?
Well, given that they are ahead of the problem, they can install quality equipment that’s already efficient.
To do this, they can employ two rating systems that show how efficient the tools being installed are. These include:
- The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), which is typically used in the US to raise the efficiency of ACs
- The AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, in regards to HVAC, shows how efficient furnaces are at consuming the fuel they use
When it comes to the SEER rating, experts will tell you that something between 14 and 16 is good, with higher ratings showing even more efficiency, although such units may be pricier. Older units tend to have much lower ratings, even getting to as low as 10, which is quite inefficient.
With the AFUE rating, anything ranging from 90% to 98.5% is considered highly efficient, and below 80%, which is the allowed standard, is considered inefficient.
Switching to Renewable Power
To this day, HVAC systems still rely on electricity as their source of power, and this can be costly for those who use them. However, these systems can still work with an alternative energy source, namely solar power through the use of photovoltaic panels.
With these, greenhouse gas emissions are almost entirely avoided, while also cutting utility costs since you aren’t using a conventional source and are off the grid.
However, you should expect quite a few issues with solar-powered HVAC systems, which begin with the fact that they need the sun to function, so a cloudy day isn’t ideal.
In addition to this, installing the panels in the right place is key, as any mishap during installation, such as placing them in a place that gets regular shade, will not help.
If you’re going to go down this right, you should find a contractor that can help you with an evaluation. With their help, you can see how many panels are needed to power your system and where they should be placed for more efficient results.
Using and Alternative Methods
Another path that contractors could point to is the use of alternative methods outside the ACs and furnaces of your standard HVAC system.
One such alternative is the heat pump, which, unlike its counterparts, doesn’t generate heat, but rather transfers it via refrigerants.
The problem with heat pumps is that they use very hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants that can cause greenhouse emissions if leaked out.
Also, heat pumps are only perfect in mild weather, as while heat and cold do still exist in extreme weather, they may not be to your liking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to be more sustainable, addressing the key greenhouse gas emission point in your HVAC system is something you can do, and the above measures can be taken.
Through regular checkups undertaken by the professional HVAC company you choose, you can make the most of what you have without making too drastic a change.
If the drastic change is the path you want to go down, the very contractors should be able to help you with the intricacies of installation and other queries.
Regardless, a contractor’s help would be needed in several ways. For example, if you decide to use an alternative like a heat pump, their expertise regarding such tools would also help you know whether or not it’s worth the trouble to use them.
In any case, it’s a good thing that the environmentally conscious and those looking to save money have options to achieve their objectives.