Keep your heating or a/c system in shape. Like all machinery, your home's heating or a/c system requires periodic tune-ups to ensure that it runs at peak efficiency. By maintaining your heating or a/c unit, you can save between 3% and 10% on your energy bills by reducing energy consumption. In addition, our team of expert technicians are trained to identify potential problems before they become costly, inconvenient repairs.
Upgrade your heating or central a/c system and save. When you upgrade your heating or central a/c system to today's ultra-high efficiency, Energy Star rated units you can lower your energy bills by as much as 40%! If your heating or central a/c system is over 20 years old, you may benefit significantly by installing a new heating or cooling system. In addition you will also enjoy the benefit of plenty of hot water, reliable warmth in the winter and cool comfort in the summer.
Use fans wisely. In just one hour, a hard-working bathroom or kitchen fan can expel a houseful of warm air, according to the Department of Energy. Turn them off as soon as they’ve done their job.
Keep the fireplace damper closed. Heat rises, and an open damper is like a hole in the roof. Also, limit use of the fireplace, since fires actually suck heat from a room.
Turn down the water heater. Lowering the temperature of water in the water heater to 115-120 degrees reduces power use often without a noticeable difference to the user.
Keep heating vents clear. Vents blocked by rugs and furniture prevent heated air from circulating efficiently.
Use curtains. Opening curtains and shades on south-facing windows during the day allows solar radiation to warm a living space; closing all curtains at night helps reduce the escape of that heat.
Block leaks. Plugging the small gaps surrounding windows, doors and other areas can save you up to 10% on that heating bill, and the materials will pay for themselves within a year. Find the leaks in your home: On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick to the most common drafty areas: chimney flashing, recessed lighting, sill plates, window and door frames, all ducts and flues and electrical outlets.Then buy door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or tacky rope caulk to block those drafty spots around window frames. Apply weatherstripping to movable joints. Outlet gaskets ($10 for 10) can easily be installed in electrical outlets in a home’s outer walls, where cold air often enters.
Keep your ducts in a row. A home that uses ductwork to move heated air can lose up to 60% of that air before it reaches the vents if the ducts are poorly connected, not well insulated and travel through unheated spaces such as the attic or crawlspace. make sure your ducts are cleaned and well maintained.
Winterize windows. If you can’t afford storm windows, put plastic film on those windows ($6 covers three windows) where a clear view isn’t crucial, which will curb drafts and keep windows from rattling.
Buy a smart thermostat. If you’re the kind of person who forgets to turn the temperature down at night and before work, but who doesn’t mind programming things like the TV remote control, a “smart” thermostat ($50-$100) can be set to change the temperature for you.
Look for other insulation opportunities. Some well-placed insulation, especially in the attic of older homes, can save a bundle ($7-$16, in rolls from 22-32 feet, depending on insulation value).
|
