In normal circumstances, over 40% of your energy bill is a result of heating and cooling systems in the home.
Heating and cooling systems emit over a half billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, contributing to global warming. They also generate about 24% of the nation’s sulfur dioxide and 12% of nitrogen oxides – which cause acid rain. So efficiency is important not just to lower the energy bill but to reduce emissions.
Have your heating and cooling systems inspected, cleaned, tuned, and maintained on an annual basis by a professional.
Be sure that all vents and chimney are clean and free of any obstructions and are installed according to code requirements.
Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer.
Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
During the heating season, allow as much sunlight as possible to enter the home.
During the cooling season keep window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.
Keep unused or unheated rooms closed to the rest of the house.
If you purchase new equipment – buy those that are labeled with the Energy Star.
Look for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings and the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) on equipment and compare energy usage before you buy.
Be sure that your duct system is properly sealed. Duct leakage can account for over 30% of heating and cooling loss.
If your ducts are located in an unconditioned space (crawlspace, attic, etc.) then be sure that they are properly insulated.
Be sure that your heating and cooling equipment has been properly sized by a professional.
Use a programmable thermostat. They can automatically adjust your thermostat settings which will save you as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills.
Utilize passive solar design techniques to heat and cool your home. These applications are environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
