Although you may not realize it, the HVAC in your Carriere, MS, home makes up a large part of its carbon footprint. After all, HVAC makes up about 52% of the average home’s yearly energy usage. Plus, HVAC systems often contain environmentally damaging substances and burn fossil fuels. So, any attempt to reduce your home’s environmental impact must involve making improvements to its HVAC. To help you do that, here is an overview of the environmental impacts of residential HVAC systems and today’s most eco-friendly HVAC options.
The Environmental Impact of HVAC
The carbon output tied to residential air conditioner use is inextricably linked to the electricity grid supplying it. Here in Carriere, that makes operating an AC especially carbon-intensive. At last count, our grid depended on natural gas-fired power plants for 74% of its electricity. That places our state’s electrical grid at 34% above the national average in carbon intensity.
On the heating side of the equation, things are a bit better. At last count, 32% of housing units in our state relied on heat pumps for their winter heating needs. Those are an energy-efficient option, but they still rely on our carbon-intense power grid. Unfortunately, this also means the remaining 68% of homes rely on less efficient heating systems. These include natural gas and electric furnaces, boilers, and electric resistance heaters.
The above statistics also indicate that the majority of homes here have relatively old AC systems. That’s an environmental problem because older AC systems rely on refrigerants that harm the environment. The oldest AC systems likely in use contain R-22, which is now illegal to produce or import because R-22 is destructive to Earth’s ozone layer. It’s also 1,810 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. Slightly newer systems, by contrast, mostly use R410a. It poses no threat to the ozone layer but is 2,088 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas.
Eco-friendly HVAC Options
The good news is that today’s most eco-friendly HVAC options address the two main problems mentioned above. They feature next-generation refrigerants like R-32, which are safer for the environment and more efficient. Plus, they’re energy-efficient, reducing emissions resulting from electricity generation. The three most eco-friendly options are as follows.
Geothermal HVAC
The most eco-friendly HVAC option is a geothermal HVAC system. It combines heat pump technology with an underground refrigerant loop to function. It takes advantage of the fact that temperatures just below ground level remain stable year-round. That provides the perfect place to expel heat in the summer and collect it in the winter. As a result, geothermal HVAC systems can operate at efficiencies between 400% and 500% year-round. Installing one can cut your home’s HVAC-related energy use by up to 72%.
Ducted Air-source Heat Pumps
Ducted air-source heat pumps operate like conventional central AC systems, with one exception. They can also provide heat for your home in the winter. Ducted air-source heat pumps share a similar physical footprint with ordinary central HVAC systems. That makes them an easy upgrade in most homes. Today’s best-ducted air-source heat pumps operate at an average efficiency between 300% and 350%. While that won’t cut your carbon footprint as much as a geothermal system would, it’s close. And installing a ducted air-source heat pump costs much less than installing a geothermal system.
Ductless Mini-split Heat Pump
If your home doesn’t have the ductwork to support a ducted air-source heat pump, installing one could be cost-prohibitive. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t enjoy all of the environmental benefits of a heat pump anyway. To do it, you could install a ductless mini-split heat pump.
These units combine a single outdoor unit and multiple individual air handlers installed in your home. That configuration even comes with some added benefits. For one, ducted systems can waste up to 30% of the energy they consume via ductwork losses. So, ductless mini-splits enjoy a natural efficiency advantage. Plus, ductless mini-splits offer zoned heating and cooling. This allows you to customize your comfort in each room and save more money and energy doing it.
Your Eco-friendly HVAC Experts
If you want a more eco-friendly HVAC solution for your Carriere home, Campo Heating & Air Conditioning can help. For a ducted or ductless heat pump or a geothermal HVAC system, we’re the place to turn. We’ve served local homeowners since 2009, offering complete HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services. We also offer indoor air quality and duct cleaning services. We even offer financing options on approved credit to help you pay for an HVAC upgrade. So, if you’re ready for a more eco-friendly HVAC solution, call Campo Heating & Air Conditioning today!
