Ways to Save Energy Heating and Cooling Your Home
Your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other appliance in your home. Typically, 45% or more of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling.
No matter what kind of air-conditioning system you have in your house, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.
Remember, though, an energy efficient air-conditioner alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole house approach to energy savings. By combining all of the tips such as proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, weatherization and thermostat setting, you can cut your energy bills in half.
Choose the right equipment
Make energy efficiency a priority in selecting a new air conditioner or heat pump. If you use heating a lot then consider purchasing a heat pump. These provide three times more heating than the equivalent amount of energy they consume in electricity. Heat pumps actually collect heat from the outside air and transfer it for use on the inside. A heat pump can trim the amount of electricity you use for heating as much as 30% to 40%. The right choice means lower utility bills for years to come. When choosing a replacement system, look for the SEER rating to be 12 or more. SEER is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating which rates the efficiency during the cooling season.
Furthermore, we are a Tampa Electric Company Participating Contractor and can offer rebates for the replacement of your existing system on equipment that is 12 SEER or better.
Sizing is another important factor to air conditioning. If the system is sized to small then the unit will run constantly. If the unit is sized too large, then the unit may not cycle long enough to pull all the humidity out of your house. We will provide a complimentary load calculation of your home and will take into account local temperatures, humidity, windows, level of ceiling insulation, the number and lifestyle of the occupants to assist you in selecting the proper sized air conditioning system..
Properly Adjust your thermostat
The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall utility bill will be. Don't set your thermostat at a colder temperature setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and therefor unnecessary expense. Keep lamps and TV sets away from the thermostat. Install a Programmable Thermostats To maximize your energy savings without sacrificing comfort, your can install an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. These thermostats adjust the temperature setting for you. While you might forget to turn up the cooling before you leave for work in the morning, a programmable thermostat won’t . You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours with an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. If you have us install the programmable thermostat for you, we will provide a Lifetime Thermostat Warranty. In case of service call due to a malfunctioning thermostat, we agree to cover the cost of all labor and materials required to repair or replace the thermostat for the lifetime of your system.
Clean your condenser coil
The condenser coil (the unit outside your house) should be kept clean to ensure efficient operation. Often, the condenser coil becomes restricted by dirt, lint, paper, grass clippings, leaves, or other debris. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but no to block airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity that the same one operating in the sun. Keep vents and grill unobstructed Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grills are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating load on your system for more economical operation. Keep doors and windows properly sealed Annually check the weather strip around the door and make sure the windows fit tightly. This will reduce the heating load in the winter and cooling load in the summer. Your system will operate more economically as a result.
Keep your return air filters clean
The easiest way to ensure your system operates efficiently and economically is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter, Ask your technician where your air filters is located and which type of filter to use. You may consider upgrading your air filtration method to protect your equipment and relieve allergy symptoms.
Service your system at least once a year
There is nothing better for your air conditioning system than annual maintenance. Annual maintenance allows your system to work at peak efficiency year in and year out. A system that is maintained annually experiences considerably fewer breakdowns. Sometimes small problems can become bigger problems as your system continues to run. Just as your automobile need regular maintenance so does your air conditioning system. This virtually eliminates the need for you to pay for costly repairs. You’ll enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that your system is saving you money on your utility bills every time it comes on. In some instances the energy savings are enough to pay the cost of the planned annual maintenance service.
Contact us about our Service Agreements which provide two maintenance visits and substantial discounts on all repair work.
Other Household Tips:
Consider ceiling fans to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.
Close an unoccupied room that is isolated from the rest of the house such as in a corner and turn down the thermostat or turn off the heating for that room or zone.
Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans wisely; in just one hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air.
Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.
Keep draperies and shades open on south-facing windows during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home; close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. |
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