Homeowners have access to a lot of helpful information to help you understand your heating and cooling system’s energy efficiency levels, as well as what you can do to keep your energy costs down.
For example, EnergyGuide labels are available with new furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioning systems and many other appliances so that you can get a clear picture of how much energy this equipment will use. These guides will even allow you to compare the energy use to other similar products. If you see an Energy Star logo, you’ve got another important piece of information: this logo means that the equipment meets certain energy efficiency requirements set by the government.
Along with the information about your particular heating and cooling system, there are also guidelines for some good choices you can make to keep your energy costs down. These include:
Sealing and insulating – Sealing air leaks around windows, doors and places where pipes and wires come through walls blocks the escape of conditioned air and prevents energy waste. If your windows are old and inefficient, you may want to consider replacing them. Also, checking ducts for holes and gaps can show you where air may be leaking and whether you need a professional to help repair leaky ducts.
Check the temperature setting – One of the easiest energy-saving ideas is to lower your thermostat in winter and raise it in summer, especially before you go to bed or leave for the day. A programmable thermostat will adjust these settings automatically.
Check, clean or replace filters on your forced-air furnaces, heat pumps or air conditioners as recommended.
Have your system maintained by a professional. Arrange for maintenance on your heating and cooling before either side of your system has to kick into gear.
Whether it’s time for a new system for your home, or you need a service or a repair on your current system, we’re here to help. Let us hear from you.