The heating and cooling of your home account for 56% of all your energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. There are steps you can take to help with your efforts to save money and use less energy. We talk about these things often, but it’s worth repeating.
- Regular maintenance of your heating and A/C system will help to keep your system running efficiently and help save money as a result.
- Maintain a comfortable level of temperature in your home while you are there. When you leave the house for work, school or multiple continuous hours, be sure to adjust the thermostat so that you are not wasting heat or air conditioning in an empty house. In the colder months, if you adjust your thermostat 10-15 degrees for 8 hours at a time, while you are out of the house, you can save 5%-15% annually.
- Install programmable thermostats. This will help you control your temperatures when you are not home.
- Seal your home for energy leaks, in both the cold and warm months so you do not lose precious heating or air conditioning. Windows, doors and drafty areas can cost you in lost energy.
- Change air filters regularly. Clean air filters will help your system run efficiently and effectively and will help save money as a result.
- Using window coverings can help in your energy efficient efforts. By opening the blinds and curtains, you bring in natural sunlight to help warm the house in the cooler months and closing them in the summer months will keep the house cooler.
- Replace older systems (when it is time and no longer operating at its optimum performance) with ENERGY STAR®, energy efficient products. And be sure they are installed properly by a qualified HVAC professional, or you could lose up to 30% of the system’s efficiency with an improper installation.
When you install a new, energy efficient system, here are some helpful guidelines for your furnace and air conditioning units for long-term savings:
- For furnaces: You want to look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings and the national minimum is 78% AFUE. Some ENERGY STAR® models on the market currently exceed 90% AFUE.
- For air conditioners: You want to look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. However there are ENERGY STAR models on the market currently at 14.5 SEER or more.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of using new, modern, energy efficient products and some simple steps you can take that will make a difference in your energy use and reduce your energy bills.
For more information on how we can help you save BIG this fall and winter season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040
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