Heating and Air Conditioning Tips

Your heating and air conditioning system uses more energy than anything else in your home.  There are many ways to help conserve energy, and energy efficient units are available to help lower your costs.  As energy costs continue to rise, it is more important than ever to find ways to lower the energy usage involved in heating and cooling our homes.

To find the most efficient type of heat available be sure to check our Electric Heat section.  You can also calculate your energy costs by visiting our Energy Calculator section.  We will show you how to find the most efficient heating and air conditioning systems that are available.
 
Taking steps to conserve the energy needed to keep your home comfortable is easy to do and most of them do not include any expense on your part.  Listed below are tips that can be utilized for energy conservation.

• One of the best ways to save energy is to keep the warm air in the house and the cold air out during the winter and cool air in the house and the hot air out during the summer.  This involves caulking and weather stripping all outside windows, doors, and attic gaps to close any air gaps. Add insulation to your attic to bring it to at least 12 inches of thickness.
• Your window coverings play an important role in saving energy.  During the winter months open them up on sunny days so that the sunlight can help warm the house.  If it is overcast or at night make sure they are closed though.  During the summer months keep them closed during the day to avoid unnecessary heating of the house.
• Programmable thermostats can save a lot on energy and time on your part with the ability of not having to change your thermostat manually.  You can program it so that you don’t use as much energy when no one is at home.
• In the summer set your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher while you are home.  Each degree above 78 can save 3-5% of the energy consumption.  In the winter set your thermostat at 68 degrees.  If necessary put on some extra clothing to stay comfortable.  Your savings will be significant.
• During the winter do not set the thermostat higher than your intended temperature.  The house will not warm up any faster and may get warmer than intended.
• Don’t have lamps, TV’s, or other heat producers close to your thermostat.
• During the summer plan to do your baking and cooking, washing, and drying in the cooler morning or evening hours.  Plan to hang your clothes outside on a clothesline to save even more energy.
• Use fans during the summer months to move the cooler air around.  This includes ceiling fans, oscillating fans, window fans, and attic fans.
• Don’t block your registers.
• Only heat and cool what you need.  Close the registers and doors of rooms that aren’t being used.
• Use your bathroom exhaust fan only when moisture or odors are a problem.
• Turn off the pilot light of a gas furnace during the summer. 
• Change the filters on a regular basis, preferably once a month.  Dirty filters block the air flow and increase the energy consumption.
• Have your heat pump, air conditioner, or furnace serviced once a year to keep them working for peak energy efficiency.  You don’t want a problem during the winter or summer season.
• Check and make sure that the unit outside of your house is clean and has good air flow around it.  Shade on it will help it operate more efficiently, but don't disrupt the air flow.