Help Fight Climate Change With Your Home’s Boiler, Furnace, or Air Conditioner

Introduction

Did you know there’s something you can do today to make a significant impact on climate change? It’s relatively simple and it’s nearly as effective as taking half of all private vehicles off the roads. You can replace your old furnace, boiler, or air conditioner with a new, high energy efficiency model.

Most people don’t think about their HVAC systems until they break down, but your old boiler or furnace has a bigger impact on the climate than you think. At least 7% percent of U.S. fossil-fuel energy is used for residential space and water heating. This means making small changes to your home heating could reduce your environmental impact nearly as much as giving up your car. 

Investing in a new boiler or furnace is a win-win—you’re doing immediate, measurable good for the planet, plus, you’ll see a significant decrease in your energy costs. Newer, energy-efficient HVAC systems cost less to run, have better longevity, and are typically less expensive to service. 

Some of the most common energy-efficient upgrades include combi boilers and heat pumps:

‍Combi boilers, or combination boilers, combine a hot water tank and boiler into a single high-efficiency unit. Combi boilers provide your home with both hot water and central heating. A combi-boiler heats water directly from the water main, as you need it, so there’s no need for water storage tanks. Combi-boilers are compact, so they’re great for homes with limited space. Because these units heat water on demand, they tend to be more energy efficient. You can read more about combi boilers here.

Heat pumps are all-in-one heating and cooling systems. In warmer months, a heat pump works like an air conditioner. It extracts heat from inside the home and transfers it to the outdoor air. In colder weather, the unit collects heat from the outdoor air and transfers it inside to warm your home. Heat pumps are extremely efficient. They do not burn fossil fuels and they produce more energy than they use. Heat pumps are effective on their own, but can also be used as an add-on to an existing HVAC system.
‍

So, how can you tell if it’s time for an upgrade? 

‍Your HVAC system is more than 10 years old. Even with regular maintenance, you may benefit from replacing the system after 10 or 15 years. Older units are more likely to have issues and they cost more to run. Plus, technology has improved dramatically in the past 10 years.

‍You see an increase in your energy bill. When HVAC systems are not running efficiently, they use more energy than normal, and cost more to run. 

Your HVAC is noisier than it used to be. Strange noises usually mean you need a repair. If your system is on the older side, consider a replacement rather than another fix.‍

Your home isn’t as comfortable as it used to be. This is another sign that your HVAC system isn’t running efficiently. If your HVAC system isn’t doing its job, it’s time for an upgrade.

Still need convincing? State and federal programs offer strong incentives to make your home heating and cooling more energy efficient.  

At Tetra, we believe it should be easy to reduce your environmental impact and make your home more efficient. We offer instant quotes, installation in as little as 24 hours, and 24/7 text, phone, and email support. If you’re interested in rebates and financing, we do all the paperwork on your behalf to give you the rebate immediately and fastrack your 0% loan application (more info on energy rebates, incentives & financing here). 

A relatively small change to your home heating and cooling can make a big difference. It may be hard to lose your car, but get in touch with Tetra today to help fight climate change. ‍

Sources:

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/02/right-way-heat-your-home/618141/ 
https://www.masssave.com/en/saving/residential-rebates 
https://www.tetra.com/blog/your-guide-to-fast-easy-rebates-financing 
https://www.tetra.com/blog/what-is-a-combi-boiler-and-why-should-you-buy-one