| As summer approaches, you may already be | | | | 5. During warm weather months keep window |
| experiencing warmer temperatures and the need | | | | covering closed during the day to prevent solar |
| to use the air conditioning system in your | | | | gain; in cool weather months keep south -facing |
| home-especially if you live an in area where | | | | windows open so sunlight can enter and help heat |
| temps can reach over 85 degrees as early as | | | | the room, but close them at night to reduce any |
| May. Of course, with the increase in temperatures | | | | chill from the window. |
| often comes a higher energy bill. Then, when | | | | 6. Keep air registers, baseboard heaters, or |
| temperatures begin to cool off and the heater is | | | | radiators free from obstructions; make sure to |
| needed energy costs change again-sometime | | | | clean them often. |
| higher sometimes a bit lower. To help save | | | | 7. If you need to purchase new heating or air |
| money all year, you may be looking for some | | | | products be sure to purchase those that are |
| ways to cut costs while still keeping comfortable. | | | | Energy Star certified. For heating units look for |
| Heating and Air Systems Money Saving Tips | | | | those with a high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency |
| Statistic show that 46% of a homeowner's utility | | | | (AFUE) rating in air conditioning units look for one |
| bill goes toward heating and cooling. To help lower | | | | with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). |
| your energy consumption, implement the following | | | | Talking to a HVAC specialist can help you |
| tips: | | | | determine what is best for you needs. |
| | | | 8. Consider having a programmable thermostat |
| 1. Keep your thermostat set as high as is | | | | installed. Studies show that homes using a |
| comfortable during the summer months and as | | | | programmable thermostat save as much as 10% |
| low as possible during the winter. Ideally, there | | | | a year on heating and cooling cost. A |
| should not be more than a difference of 10o | | | | programmable thermostat allows you to set the |
| between inside and outside temperatures. | | | | times that a heating/cooling systems turns on in a |
| 2. Use heat-resistant radiator reflectors between | | | | given time frame so that when no one is home |
| exterior walls to make the most of the heat | | | | the temperature is kept lower/higher as needed. |
| inside the home. | | | | 9. Use fans-box, whole house, ceiling-in place of |
| 3. If you use the exhaust fans in your kitchen or | | | | turning the air conditioning higher. Often, just |
| bath, be sure to turn them off within 20 minutes | | | | keeping the air moving is more efficient that |
| of cooking or bathing, any longer is unnecessary | | | | turning up the thermostat. |
| and costly. | | | | 10. When installing a room air conditioner, place it |
| 4. Clean or replace the air filters per | | | | on the north side of the house-if at all possible- or |
| manufacturer's instructions so that the unit can | | | | in the shade. Units operating in the shade use 10% |
| work more efficiently. | | | | less energy than those in the sun. |