Heating & Cooling Efficiently

Tips To Help Save You Money On Your Air Conditioning Bills

hvac energy saving tipsRegular Maintenance Prevents Big Bills and Big Headaches Later

Did you know that just 1/100th of an inch of dirt or film on an evaporator coil can reduce its efficiency by 5%? Also, a dirty evaporator, condenser, and blower could increase air conditioning or heat pump usage by 50% or more.

Give Your Home a Filter “Checkup” Every 30 Days

We cannot stress this enough! If your filters are dirty or clogged, your system has to work harder and longer to do the same job, thus increasing your energy cost – not to mention chances for a breakdown of the system.

Seal It, Caulk It, and Save Money!

Thermal Heat Loss

Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows that leak air. A picture is worth….., well in this case, lost heating dollars. This thermal photograph shows heat leaking from a house during those expensive winter heating months. The white, yellow, and red colors show heat escaping. The red represents the area of the greatest heat loss.

Sources of Air Leaks in Your Home

Home Air LossAreas that leak air into and out of your home cost you lots of money. Check the areas listed below:

  • Plumbing Stack Vent
  • Recessed Lights
  • Attic Hatch
  • Chase
  • Kitchen Fan Vent
  • Crawl Space
  • Outdoor Faucet
  • Dryer Vent
  • Electrical Outlet
  • Bathroom Fan Vent
  • Air Leaking Into House
  • Air Leaking Out Of House

Set It and Forget It!

program thermostat energy savingsAdjusting your thermostat setting repeatedly can waste a substantial amount of energy. If you upgrade to a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. As a result, you don’t operate the equipment as much when you are asleep or when the house or part of the house is not occupied.

When The Heat Comes, Shut ‘Em Down!

When that summer heats starts to bear down on your home, keep blinds closed and try to have window treatments over large windows. Doing this will help block out the sun’s rays, making your house easier to keep cool and keeping your system from running more often than necessary. During the winter months, pull back window treatments and open blinds to allow the sun to help warm your house naturally.

Check For Leaky Ducts!

air conditioner duct leakageFirst look for sections that should be joined but have separated. The unsealed ducts in your attics and crawl spaces lose air—uninsulated ducts lose heat, creating a huge energy and money waste.

Don’t Touch That Dial!

When you first turn on your air conditioner, do not set the thermostat to a cooler setting than normal. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.

Fan Out And Cool Down

A whole house fan, or attic fan, is a simple and inexpensive way of cooling your house. The fan draws cool outdoor air inside through open windows and exhausts hot room air through the attic to the outside. The result is excellent ventilation, lower indoor temps, and improved evaporative cooling.

Looking For More Comfort Tips?

Check Out Our Articles To Help Keep You Comfortable

  • thermostat emergency heat settings

What Is Emergency Heat?

The emergency heat option, often labeled as "EM Heat" on thermostats, is a setting that activates a backup heating system in situations where the primary heating system is unable to adequately warm the home.

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