Going Green – The Responsible Thing To Do

“Going Green.” This is perhaps the most familiar slogan of our time. It represents the marriage of environmental awareness and modern convenience. The earth’s natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. Going green in our homes is one, very effective way to lessen our personal impact on the environment. As stewards of the earth, it is our responsibility to use resources wisely and green homes go a long way toward achieving that goal.

Going green has the added benefit of saving green. According to the EPA, high efficiency appliances and adequate insulation can reduce personal energy consumption up to a budget-friendly 50%.

Going Green – Easier Than You Think

Think creating a green home is more than you can handle? Modern technology has made going green as easy as 1 – 2 – 3.

1. Install a High Efficiency Heating and Air Conditioning System.

Given the annual temperature range in Central Texas, we recommend a two-stage high efficiency AC/Heat Pump unit. The variable speed technology of this type of HVAC system gives it the ability to optimize air flow by adjusting operational capacity from 60 to 100% based upon the indoor temperature setting and current outdoor weather conditions. Once set, a high efficiency AC/Heat Pump system will automatically switch between high or low stage for heat or cooling to keep your home consistently at its pre-set temperature. By maximizing fuel/power efficiency, this environmentally friendly, two-speed system will maintain your home’s comfort level and save you money by lowering your household energy bills.

2. Add a Tankless Water Heater

This revolutionary alternative to the inefficient tank-style water heater in common use today heats water only as needed. When a hot water tap is turned on, the tankless water heater begins its cycle by allowing cold water to enter the system. A water flow sensor detects this water flow and signals the internal computer to ignite a burner in the heat exchanger. As the cold water circulates through the heat exchanger, it is warmed to the appropriate temperature. Water is continuously heated in this way until the hot water tap is shut off, which, in turn, shuts off the tankless water heater. This ingenious, on-demand design can provide sufficient hot water for an entire household and still result in energy saving of up to a whopping 40%, by eliminating the need to continuously maintain a full tank of hot water.

3. Protect Your Investment with a High Efficiency Water Softener

You’ve gone to the trouble of establishing an eco-friendly green home, protect your energy-saving investment with a high efficiency water softener. “Hard” water, the result of impurities like iron, calcium and magnesium in our ground water sources, reduces the efficiency of soaps and detergents, creates ugly soap scum in sinks and tubs, and causes lime scale build-up that clogs our plumbing and reduces the life expectancy of expensive appliances. A high efficiency water softener uses ion exchange resins to eliminate these troublesome impurities before they are able to enter your plumbing and cause problems. The resulting “soft” water improves the overall quality of your water and keeps your plumbing and major appliances running smoothly, reducing the need for expensive repairs or replacements. “Soft” water also enhances the performance of cleaning agents, soaps, and shampoos. You use less – save more.

Going Green – Doing Your Part

“Going Green” doesn’t mean abandoning modern conveniences like air conditioning and hot water. It means taking steps, big or small, to minimize your impact on the environment. Reducing pollution and conserving energy can be easily incorporated into daily life through a common sense approach to the use of our resources. Installing high efficiency appliances is just a start.

Check your attic insulation. Heat transfer through an attic that is inadequately insulated is responsible for over 70% of household energy waste. Simply adding insulation can reduce heating and cooling bills by over 30%.

According to the EPA, poor indoor air quality is one of the top five public health risks. A clean air system, including an ERV (energy recovery ventilation) system and a whole house dehumidifier, can improve indoor air quality by 80 to 99.9%, improving health and reducing medical expenses. In addition, a high efficiency clean air system improves air flow, significantly reducing energy usage.

If you would like more information about going green, Casa Mechanical is the place to call. Our expertise in the use of green technology enables us to provide the residents of Central Texas with energy efficient solutions that will minimize their carbon footprint without breaking the budget. Contact us today.

Casa has also “Gone Green” by purchasing three Toyota Prius vehicles for our fleet!