If you are like us, you are ready to say goodbye to April showers and welcome the spring season. This time of year is known for fresh starts, and one of the best ways to refresh your space and support local environmental initiatives is by taking stock of how our daily lives impact the world. This doesn’t mean you need to take drastic measures or live in discomfort either. Instead, we are sharing five low-lift ways you can help your home “go green” this spring.
1. Upgrade Your Lights to LEDs
LED stands for light-emitting diode. Switching to LED lights is an easy and cost-effective way to make your home more eco-friendly. LED lighting uses less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, so it reduces the amount of electricity you use. Additionally, LEDs last much longer than regular lightbulbs, which means you won’t need to replace them as often—saving you money on energy bills and helping you reduce waste by minimizing the number of bulbs that end up in landfills.
With so many advancements in the LED space in recent years, you don’t have to settle for ho-hum lighting either. There are a variety of colors and brightness levels available, allowing you to customize your lighting to match any style or mood.
2. Invest in an HVAC Tune-Up
While this might not seem like an obvious suggestion, investing in professional maintenance for your heating and cooling systems can both reduce your energy usage and save you money. During maintenance, a professional will clean your system, change out filters, and make minor tweaks if needed. They’ll also check your ductwork and perform a system performance test.
These tune-ups can ensure your system isn’t overworking to compensate for damage or wear and tear—saving you money on monthly heating and cooling bills while also reducing your energy usage. Additionally, overworked systems often need to be replaced sooner than their properly functioning counterparts, leading to increased environmental impact and cost. We recommend maintenance at least once a year, with many people choosing to have their AC inspected every spring and their heater inspected every fall.
3. Consider Ductless Systems
Another way you could be overworking your HVAC system is by trying to heat or cool large or oddly shaped rooms with your current ductwork configuration. This doesn’t mean that you need to live in discomfort though, as ductless mini-split systems have come a long way. Not only can these units offer a convenient way to heat and cool unconventional spaces, but these systems are more environmentally friendly than traditional HVAC units. That is because ductless units are more energy-efficient, require fewer raw materials, allow for convenient zoning, and use ozone-safe refrigerants.
4. Inspect Your Insulation
You might be running your HVAC systems more than necessary if your home doesn’t have adequate insulation. Insulation is designed to keep conditioned air where you want it most while protecting you from the elements. Taking stock of the insulation in your attic as well as ensuring seals on windows and doors are intact are affordable and easy ways to keep you comfortable without wasting energy.
5. Think About Switching to a Tankless Water Heater
While tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, are known for their ability to provide unlimited hot water, did you know they are also more environmentally friendly too? That is because these systems are more energy efficient and last longer than their traditional counterparts. In fact, according to the Department of Energy, tankless water heaters are 24% – 34% more energy efficient than conventional systems for homes using 41 gallons of hot water or less.
Whether you are looking to switch to a tankless water heater, upgrade your lighting, or maintain your HVAC system, you can count on our professionals at All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical to get the job done right. Our Ontario plumbing, HVAC, and electrical company has over 30 years of experience helping homeowners find innovative solutions to their every home comfort issue.
To learn more about how All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical can help you lower your carbon footprint—and your monthly bills—call us at (909) 500-8193 or reach out online.