LONG-TERM SAVINGS TIPS
Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage.
For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but there are ENERGY STAR® models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE. For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14.5 SEER or more.
For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but there are ENERGY STAR® models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE. For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 14.5 SEER or more.
HEATING AND COOLING TIPS
Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer, and -- depending on the season -- raise or lower the setpoint when you're sleeping or away from home.
Clean or replace filters on furnaces and air conditioners once a month or as recommended.
Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if unsure about how to perform this task, contact a professional.
Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
During winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
Clean or replace filters on furnaces and air conditioners once a month or as recommended.
Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if unsure about how to perform this task, contact a professional.
Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
During winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
Sources of Pollution in the Home
- Building materials
- Home furnishings such as furniture made of compressed wood, carpets and drapes
- Combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene or wood
- Cleaning products and personal care items
- Hobby products such as paints, varnishes, etc.
- Heating and cooling systems and humidifiers
- Tobacco smoke
- Outside sources that come into the house such as radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution
Heating & Air Tips:
Before each heating and cooling season, have us professionally tune-up your heating and cooling equipment. This is the biggest step to preventing major malfunctions and helps the equipment run more effiecently
Contact us to inspect your home’s ducts.
If you have a gas fired heating system, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed.
Contact us to install an Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC system. This solid-state, electronic device optimizes HVAC operation “24/7″ based on your schedule, and can be “overridden” as needed for unscheduled events. This “smart thermostat” can also turn on the HVAC system one hour before you arrive home, instead of heating or cooling your home when you are not there!
Contact us to inspect your home’s ducts.
If you have a gas fired heating system, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed.
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