TIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE ENERGY, AND ALSO SAVE MONEY!!!

General Tips:

Have your Heating and Cooling system tuned-up for so that you are running at peak efficiency - Having your systems tuned-up by a professional allows the systems to be operating at peak efficiency. This will save money because your system doesn't have to work as hard to do it's job.

Keep the Air Filter 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. Filters should be checked monthly. Lack of regular filter changes and maintenance is the LEADING cause of system breakdowns and costly repair bills.

Thermostats - If your Thermostat has a Fan on and off position, the two positions are usually used in conjunction with a central air system. The normal setting is on "automatic" and the fan’s cycle will be controlled by the temperature in the room. However, if you wish to keep a continuous flow of air, switch the setting to "on". This will help regulate your air flow and allow air cleaning devices to work more effectively. Also, flipping the fan switch on your thermostat into the "fan on" mode when cooling the house will ensure that air is always being stirred to prevent hot and cold pockets from forming.

S.E.E.R. Rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating - What does it mean? S.E.E.R. stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, the standard measurement of air conditioning efficiency established by the U.S. Department of Energy. Higher S.E.E.R. ratings translate into greater energy efficiency which means lower cooling bills. If your current air conditioner or heat pump is more than 10 years old, it could be operating at lower than 8.00 S.E.E.R. A 13.00 S.E.E.R. system to operate at the same capacity in the same area could show an annual savings of up to 35%.

Ventilating Fans - Don’t overuse kitchen or bathroom ventilating fans. Turn them off as soon as they have done their job, or put them on timers to limit their operation to fifteen minutes at a time. A fan can draw out an entire houseful of heated air in about an hour.

Heating & Cooling:

Humidify Your Home - Humid air feels warmer than dry air. Increasing the humidity of your home also helps you resist winter colds and moisturizes dry skin. Operating a room humidifier will make you feel more comfortable. If your heating system has a humidifier, make sure that it’s functioning properly. You can also add humidity by keeping house plants. Plants clean the air and add moisture to it at the same time. Putting trays of water on top of radiators also helps. So does leaving the bathroom door open after a shower, to let that warm steamy air circulate through the house.

Utilize draperies and shades - During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your southfacing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.

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• Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage. For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but there are ENERGY STAR models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE.

• For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. ENERGY STAR models are 13 SEER or more. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy provides tips for buying energy-efficient furnaces, boilers, AC units, and heat pumps on its Web site.

Hot Water:

Monitor your use - Warm water feels wonderful, but it can be costing you more than you think. A typical household spends 14 percent of their energy bill a year on hot water. About half of this is used to wash your body (showers and baths), and about a fourth is used to wash your clothes.

Hardware Solutions - You can reduce your water heating costs by using less hot water. Do this by installing low-flow showerheads and fixing leaky faucets.

Four ways to cut your bills - Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.

1. Use less hot water - Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household.

2. Lower the thermostat on your water heater - Water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.

3. Insulate all components -

   • Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
   • Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.
   • Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

    

4. Purchase a new, more efficient water heater - Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.

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• Buy a new energy-efficient water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Look for the EnergyGuide label.

• Consider installing a drain water waste heat recovery system. A recent DOE study showed energy savings of 25% to about 30% for water heating using such a system.

• Consider natural-gas on-demand or tankless water heaters. Researchers have found savings can be up to 30% compared with a standard natural-gas storage tank water heater.