LinkPoint





FAQs

Energy Saving Tips

1.Keeping your thermostat set at 68° during the winter and  78° in the summer

    can help save you energy.  You may also consider replacing your existing 

    thermostat with a programmable one.  Then you canset it where you are 

    comfortable when at home and another setting when you are away from home.

2.  Seal and insulate ducts that run through spaces that are unheated. 

3. Check filters regularly and replace them about once a month during the heating season. 

4. Curtains can add and extra layer of insulation, blinds may also add a measure of insulation

    but they are not as effective.  You can close your curtains at night and on sunny days when 

    its chilly and open them to let in the free heat the sun provides. This especially is true on 

    the south side of your home.

5. Make sure to keep your registers free from anything that might block them.  Also baseboards,

    radiators, or cold air returns must allow air to circulate around them for best results.

6. If you are going to install a new system, think about shopping for a heat pump for increased 

    efficiency.  Look for the Energy Guide label that contains the SEER or seasonal energy efficiency

    ratio, that measures efficiency during the cooling season.  Also look at the HSPF, or heating 

    seasonal performance factor, which measures energy efficiency during the heating season.  

    Look for 7.2 HSPF and 12 SEER or higher.

7.  Keep air conditioner filters clean. They should be cleaned or replaced once a month during the

     season. If you can do so safely, clean the exposed grill and spines on the outside unit.

     Don't block window air conditioners. Make sure no objects are leaning on, or directly in the path

     of the air flowing in or out. 

8.  Don't place lamps or televisions near your air conditioning thermostat. 

    The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, and this may cause it to run longer than necessary.

9.  Making sure your home has the proper amount of insulation will save energy during the summer and 

    winter.  

10.  Planting trees near your home also provides shade during the summer heat and therby demanding less

    of your air conditioning units.  

11. Running exhaust fans when cooking or showering in the summer lets the heat outside instead of 

    being trapped in your home.  

12.  Having regular inspections and tune ups will keep your equipment working properly longer.  

    This is recommended each year for heat pumps and every five for other systems.

13.   The size of your air-conditioning system is vitally important. An oversized system

     will turn on and off too often minimizing efficiency and an undersized unit will operate 

     almost continuously decreasing the life of the equipment as well as failing to cool effectively. 

14. Shield outdoor air-conditioning equipment from direct sunlight. However, be sure the air flow

     is not too restricted

15  Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans sparingly. In just one hour, these fans can blow away

     a house full of warm air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done their job. 

16  Keep fireplace dampers tightly closed until you prepare to light a fire. An open damper in a 48-inch 

    square fireplace can let as much as 8 percent of our heat escape out the chimney. When using your 

    fireplace, limit the amount of heated air drawn from the rest of the house. Open dampers in the 

    bottom of the firebox if provided, or open the closest window about 1 inch and close any doors 

    leading into the room. This will allow air in for the fire while reducing heat loss from the rest of the house. 

17.   Draft-proof windows, doors and other air leaks. Begin by picking a cold, windy day to test your windows

     and doors for air-tightness. Make sure there is no air coming from registers near the windows and you'll 

    be able to find many leaks simply by feeling around frames and sashes with your hand. Or you can make

     a simple "draft detector" by clipping a piece of tissue paper or light plastic to a coat hanger. Hold the

     coat hanger in front of a suspected crack; any movement of the paper will indicate an air leak that needs

     caulking and/or weather-stripping. Caulking and weather-stripping are reasonably easy, so you may be

     able to save money by doing the job yourself. Materials will cost less than $100 for an average house

     having 12 windows and 2 doors. Savings in annual energy costs could be as much as 10 percent, 

    so draft-proofing your home can pay for itself very quickly. In addition, reducing air leaks to a minimum

    may also allow you to lower the thermostat on your heating system without causing discomfort.