HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING MONEY SAVING TIPS

Below are some energy saving tips which will keep your equipment running smoother as well as keeping money in your pocket!

Have your air conditioning system tuned up for the season, so that you are running at peak efficiency – Replace your furnace or air handler filters on a regular basis.

Lack of regular filter changes and maintenance is the number 1 cause of system breakdowns and costly repair bills – If you disconnected the power to your central air conditioning system in the winter, wait 24 hours after turning power back on to the system to run it. Your unit needs time to warm up.

Keep the thermostat constant – Continuously adjusting the thermostat can be very inefficient. You can, however, raise the thermostat 2-3 degrees during the way while you’re away to save money. For every degree you raise the setting, you can expect to cut energy consumption by up to 3-5%.

Flip the fan switch on your thermostat into the “fan on” mode when cooling the house – This process will ensure that air is always being stirred to prevent hot and cold pockets from forming.

Set air vents on the second floor to receive approximately 75 percent of the conditioned air – This will help even out the temperatures from the first to the second floor of the home.

Keep the shades and curtains drawn to reduce the radiant heat of the sun – Install awnings or plant trees that will shade southern facing windows. This keeps the hottest rays of the sun from shining directly into the house.

Install an attic fan to help ventilate some of the hot air out of the attic – Attics can reach temperatures of 140-150 degrees and this build of warm air can make the upstairs of a home warmer than it needs to be. This makes the air conditioner work harder to do its job. It costs you more to cool your home and the life of the system can be decreased.

Run a dehumidifier in the basement if the basement is humid – A damp basement can add moisture to the whole house. With the humidity levels as high as they are around here on their own, you don’t need that! A dehumidifier in the basement will help to reduce the humidity levels in the home, making it more comfortable throughout in the hot summer months.

Avoid using the oven during the day – Run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer in the evening, when electricity rates may be lower and heat from those appliances won’t increase a/c demands.

Consider use of a programmable thermostat – Automatically increase or decrease temperatures during day or night to suite a family’s lifestyle and reduce energy cost.

Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out of the house – Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioner is on.

Keep vents and grilles unobstructed – Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grilles are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating load on your system for more economical operation.

Avoid excess use of exhaust fans – Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.

Control direct sunlight – Let the sun in during the winter. In winter, direct sunlight reduces the load on your heating system. Open window shades and awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.

Department of Energy – You can increase the comfort of your home while reducing your heating and cooling needs by up to 30% by investing just a few hundred dollars in proper insulation and weatherization products. Also heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically 44% of your utility bill goes for heating & cooling.

 

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Source:  (http://bayshoremechanical.com/Money-Saving-Tips.html)