Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Guild
When your home or workplace breathes easier, everyone inside does too. HEP’s certified technicians design and install high-efficiency heating and cooling systems that automatically balance temperature while scrubbing the air of dust, pollen, and lingering odors. By pairing smart thermostats with sealed ductwork and energy-saving heat pumps, we cut monthly utility costs without sacrificing comfort—so you can feel good about lowering both your bills and your carbon footprint.
Our team also conducts thorough indoor air evaluations, recommending targeted upgrades that improve ventilation and air quality while meeting the latest building standards in Guild. From whisper-quiet air purifiers to advanced ERV systems, we tailor each solution to your space, ensuring fresher air, fewer allergens, and a healthier environment all year long.
FAQs
How can upgrading my HVAC system improve energy efficiency and lower my utility bills?
Modern high-efficiency furnaces, air-conditioners, and heat pumps use advanced compressor technology, variable-speed blower motors, and smarter controls that adapt output to the exact heating or cooling load. A system with a 16–20 SEER2 air-conditioner or a 97% AFUE furnace can reduce energy consumption 20–40 % compared with equipment that is 10–15 years old. Lower run-times mean less wear, so maintenance and repair costs drop as well. When paired with properly sized ductwork, tight refrigerant charging, and a programmable or smart thermostat, most homeowners see a 3–7-year return on investment through reduced electric and gas bills.
Why is proper ventilation so important for indoor air quality?
Ventilation continuously replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, diluting accumulated carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), cooking odors, and excess humidity. Without it, contaminants concentrate and can aggravate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. Balanced or energy-recovery ventilation systems exhaust polluted indoor air while pre-conditioning incoming air, so you get healthy air without a major energy penalty. Adequate ventilation also controls moisture, preventing mold growth and protecting the building envelope.
How often should I change my HVAC air filter and what rating should I choose?
For most homes, a 1-inch pleated filter rated MERV 8–11 should be changed every 60–90 days. If you have pets, smokers, recent construction, or allergy sufferers, check the filter monthly and consider a MERV 11–13 product for finer particle capture. High-performance filters trap dust, pollen, and dander but also restrict airflow faster, so timely replacement is crucial. Neglecting filters forces the blower motor to work harder, raising energy use by up to 15 % and risking coil freeze-ups or furnace overheating.
Are smart thermostats worth the investment?
Yes—smart thermostats reduce energy waste by learning your schedule, using geofencing to set back temperatures when no one is home, and providing remote access via phone or voice assistant. According to EPA studies, they save an average of 8–12 % on heating and 15 % on cooling costs, often paying for themselves within two years. Look for ENERGY STAR-certified models and verify compatibility with your HVAC equipment (especially multi-stage or heat-pump systems) before purchase.
What is the difference between an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)?
Both ERVs and HRVs transfer heat from outgoing stale air to incoming fresh air, cutting ventilation energy losses by up to 70 %. An HRV exchanges only sensible heat (temperature), making it ideal for cold, dry climates where humidity isn’t a concern. An ERV transfers both heat and moisture, helping balance indoor humidity—useful in hot, humid or mixed climates. Selecting the right device depends on your region’s weather and your home’s specific moisture issues.
How can I tell if my home’s air ducts are leaking, and what can be done about it?
Warning signs include rooms that are hard to heat or cool, excessive dust, high utility bills, and whistling noises from the ductwork. A professional can perform a blower-door or duct-blaster test to quantify leakage. If losses exceed 10 %, sealing is recommended. Technicians apply mastic or metal tape at joints and connections, or use an aerosolized sealing process for hard-to-reach interiors. After sealing, insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces prevents heat gain/loss and can boost overall HVAC efficiency by 20 % or more.