What are the sustainable cooling options for Colorado homes?

Colorado’s summers are as intensive as its snowy winters. However, you don’t need to pay heftily to remain cool throughout the summers affecting the environment heavily. Though traditional air conditioners are effective, they consume a lot of energy and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. 

But today, we have a lot of sustainable cooling options for Colorado homeowners where they can enjoy the same level of cooling without affecting sustainability.

Use of natural passive cooling techniques

There are a lot of mechanical cooling solutions that help with sustainable cooling but first let us check out some low-tech and low-cost methods that Colorado homeowners can use.

Firstly, the smart ventilation technique. The nights in Colorado are usually colder. So, open the windows at night and let the fresh air circulate through your home. Ceiling fans will further increase their natural movement. But ensure the doors, windows, and curtains are closed during warmer times of the day. Next, planting shade trees around the house is a great option, especially for the homes that are on the south and west sides. Deciduous trees are recommended as they allow sunlight to warm homes in winter and provide shade during the summer. Additionally, vines on walls can also help with extra insulation and shade needed to keep the walls cool.

You can also consider painting roofs with white and other reflective coating to deflect sunlight and minimize heat absorption. 

Other efficient Cooling Systems

Well, the above-mentioned natural techniques are quite good, but they are not feasible everywhere and are not so effective. Therefore, for such areas, here are some other sustainable cooling technologies that can help.

1. Evaporative coolers (swamp coolers)

For dry climates like that of Colorado, these water-based systems work best. Their work is simple. They cool the air by passing it through water-saturated pads. Thus they are significantly more energy-efficient than air-conditioners. But they are not so suitable for humid regions and crawlspaces. 

2. High-efficiency air conditioners

If you only have to use AC, then look for options with Energy Star certification. Such AC models leverage advanced technologies with minimum energy consumption to cool your home.

3. Heat pumps

They are versatile systems having applications both in warm as well as cold climates and thus, they offer comfort throughout the year. These devices simply transfer the heat from a cool source to a warmer area and vice-versa. Heat pumps are also highly energy-efficient especially when paired with geothermal systems. 

Geothermal heat pumps: they are innovative systems that extract heat from the ground and transfer it outdoors to help in cooling the homes. Similarly, in winter, they reverse the process and extract heat from the earth to warm the house. They are exceptionally efficient and can significantly reduce Colorado homeowner’s dependency on traditional heating and cooling methods.

Other optimization techniques for cooling your home

Here are some additional tips to maximize the effectiveness of your cooling efforts for your home.

• Use proper insulation in your walls, attic, and crawl spaces. This helps to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year. Good insulation also prevents gaining heat in the summer and losing it in the winter. It ultimately helps reduce overall energy consumption.
• Next, the gaps in windows, doors, and electrical outlets should be properly sealed as they lead to hot air inside the home and force HVAC systems to work harder. You can seal them with caulk or weatherstripping to improve efficiency.
• Using smart thermostats is another intelligent move. This programmable thermostat enables setting temperature automatically based on occupancy and time of the day. So, even if there is a slight increase in temperature, it will help with higher energy savings.
• Replacing older energy-consuming appliances with newer models having an Energy Star label is recommended. These devices not only minimize the cooling needs in Colorado homes but also generate less waste heat, and help save high on electricity bills. You can contact professional HVAC contractors in Colorado like Everest Mechanical to get help with AC replacement and consultation.

Everest Mechanical for the best HVAC service and consultation

We are Everest Mechanical, a leading Colorado HVAC service company, and understand the importance of eco-friendly cooling solutions. We have certified technicians who can help Colorado homeowners understand the various alternate and sustainable cooling options, right from recommending the most suitable energy-efficient AC unit to analyzing your home’s potential for a heat pump and geothermal system.

We also offer expert installation, repair, and maintenance services for your HVAC system to ensure your equipment works with maximum efficiency and provides you the best comfort without getting heavy on your pocket. Our team can additionally help you with the right suggestions about passive cooling techniques and other home optimization strategies for sustainable cooling.

If you want to take a step further with sustainable cooling options, maximize HVAC efficiency, and minimize energy consumption, then contact Everest Mechanical now.