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Green Building-Sustainable Construction-Eco-Friendly-are all terms we hear a lot about these days. For anyone building or buying a new home, it certainly makes sense to make environmentally conscious choices. Not only are they good for the planet and your health, many of the energy saving features of “green building” can save you money. Of course, not everyone is in the market for a new home, which is why this three part series will examine eco-friendly improvements you can make to your home now!

Heating and Air Conditioning Systems

Updating the components of your heating and air conditioning systems is beneficial for cutting down on dust and allergens, saving money on your monthly electric bill, and optimizing the capability of your unit. If your system is over twenty years old, it could be time to invest in a new one. Here are two ways you can maximize your current system.

• Clean and replace filters on a regular basis. There are several schools of thought regarding how often one should do this. If you have pets, a smoker, or live in an area where there is a significant amount of dust or smog, then you should change them every 1 to 3 months. The type of filter you use will also dictate how often they are changed. There are several new and improved types of filters on the market, including HEPA, electrostatic, electronic, and eco-friendly washable filters. These should be checked and changed at least every 3 to 6 months, with the exception of the washable ones, which need to be taken care of monthly.
• Check your return vents for evidence of dust and dirt-that will clue you in to the cleanliness level of your filters. Also remember that taking care of the filters will make your heating and air conditioning units run more smoothly and effectively. Neglecting to do so can result in mold, dust, dirt collection on the evaporator coil of your AC and stress to your system, which can ultimately lead to costly and preventable repair or replacement.
• Check your home’s insulation. A home’s insulation can make a big difference when it comes to energy efficiency. Almost half of the energy we use in our homes is for heating and cooling. A home inspector or HVAC technician is an appropriate choice for checking your home’s insulation. Depending on the age of the insulation, you may want to have it replaced with some of the more environmentally conscious options that are available today. Some older types of insulation can release eye, throat, and skin irritants and may contain formaldehyde. Others can also have highly toxic HBCD-brominated flame retardant and even petrochemicals.

When choosing new insulation material, you should take a few things into consideration, including your climate and atmospheric moisture levels. The great thing about the new eco-friendly choices for home insulation is that they are made from safe or recycled materials such as:

• Cellulose insulation-made from recycled paper,
• Cotton-made from recycled cotton-such as denim jeans
• Spray foam insulation-made from soybeans.