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Energy Tips
Maintain Your System - You can ensure your
system operates at peak performance by scheduling semi-annual
maintenance checks.
Zoning - A zoning system can drastically
lower your heating and cooling costs. With zoning, you no longer have to
pay to heat or cool areas of your home that are rarely used.
Programmable Thermostats - According to
the Department of Energy, a programmable thermostat can reduce your
heating costs by up to 35% and cooling costs by up to 25%. |
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Additional Tips:
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- Close curtains on south- and
west-facing windows during the day.
- Plant tall, fast growth trees on the
south side of your house.
- Install white window shades, drapes,
or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.
- Plug air leaks with caulking,
sealing, or weather stripping to save 10 percent or more on your
energy bill.
- Replace standard incandescent light
bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
- Unplug electronics, battery chargers
and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small
items can use as much power as your refrigerator.
- Reduce air conditioning costs by
using fans, keeping windows and doors shut and closing shades during
the day.
- When possible, wash clothes in cold
water. About 90% of the energy use in a clothes washer goes to water
heating.
- Run your dishwasher and clothes
washer only when fully loaded. It takes the same amount of energy to
run a full load as it does a partial load.
- If your home sits empty a good part
of each day, consider investing in a programmable thermostat or
manually adjust the temperature each time you leave and return home.
- Never put lamps, TV sets and other
heat-generating gadget beneath a wall-mounted thermostat.
- Close Fireplace Dampers.
- If you use standard filters, change
them monthly. If you use an electrostatic filter, rinse it out
regularly.
- If you have a mechanical air filter
or HEPA filter inside your heating and cooling system, have an air
conditioning and heating technician replace the filter annually.
- Allow air to circulate around your
outside condenser unit. Fallen leaves may hinder the efficiency of
the air conditioning unit so make it a habit to clear your air
conditioning units with fallen shrubs. This means pruning any nearby
hedges and keeping the grass mowed. Treat the area for fire ants, as
needed. Ants commonly build mounds inside condensers and can cause
your air conditioning to shut down.
- Have Your Air Conditioner Inspected
Each Spring. An annual inspection of your cooling system may extend
the life of your equipment and save you money by lowering your
energy bills. Poorly maintained air conditioners can waste a
tremendous amount of energy. "National statistics show that over 70%
of all air conditioning and compressor outages could be avoided if
the equipment was regularly checked, adjusted, calibrated, and
maintained by qualified technicians." (Source - Around the Clock:
Energy Saving Tips).
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