- Set back your thermostat. This seems so simple. It takes just 5 seconds, and it could shave $30 a month on your energy bill. Adjust it to the coolest level that's comfortable. Caution: Don't set the thermostat more than 5 degrees cooler than the normal rating when you're away because of the amount of energy you'll need to heat it back up. Even better: Call us to get a new Ecobee Programmable thermostat with the IPhone/Droid app so you can setback your thermosat anytime, anywhere.
- Clean warm air registers, baseboard heaters and/or radiators. Make sure that carpeting, furniture or draperies are not blocking them. Putting furniture over registers, or in front of radiators blocks the amount of energy that register/radiator can emit into the room, thus causing your system to run longer cycles, and thus (you guessed it!) causing you more money to operate.
- Close that flue! Does this really even need to be said!? Oh yes it does! Fall and winter fires in teh fireplace are warm, cozy and just plain wonderful, but an open flue damper draws warm air out of your house 24 hours a day. Your system will have to work overtime to heat up the house. If you do shut your flue on a regular basis, do a quick match test. Light a match, hold it around the seal of your damper to check for leaks. If the flame is drawn up to the flue then you have a leak. And now that you know you can get your chimney company to come seal it for you.
- Consider a humidifier. The health benefits from a humidifier are known, but the Fall/Winter energy savings you can get from a humidifier can be as high as 20%. Humidity keeps your warm forced air trapped in the living area in the house longer, thus satisfying your thermostat longer.
- Get a heating tune-up! This can save money, spot a danger, and make you more comfortable. What is the #1 cause of system failure? Dirt! Find out other Little Known Facts About Your HVAC System to see how much a tune-up could save you.
- Have your ductwork checked for leaks. If you've got split, fallen, or perforated ductwork, then this can save you a bundle! You should keep all the warm air you are paying for inside your home. Call us to help.
- Change your return air filters. How often do you change your air filter? Now that you have that number in mind....give me the real answer! Every 3 months, 6 months, what filter? It's ok, call us with your filter size and we can drop them off for you. A blocked return from a filter can cause your system to operate much longer than normal as well as not provide the temperature that you desire inside the home. Do the math, save more by spending a little to change your filter more often.
- Lower your dishwasher and washing machine temperatures. They use hot water from your house supply and drain it in a hurry. That's much more costly in cold weather.
- Consider storm windows or more efficient windows. Although sometimes expensive, these can pay for themselves. Just getting a quote and estimate of savings will help. Most estimates are free (except your time, of course!).
- Seal all pipe penetrations into your house. Where is the warm air? ("Inside the house") Where is the cold air? ("Outside the house") You might as well consider your crawlspace and attic areas "outside" your house. These places are not conditioned and yet they have hundreds of penetrations for water pipes, sewer lines, vent stacks, etc. Take a can of spray insulation from your local hardware store and seal up all those penetrations. Much like a leaky flue (see #3), these small penetrations add up and can be extrememly costly year in and year out if left untreated.
Contact us for a Free Home Energy Survey and we can point out areas where you can start saving money on your energy bills right away.
No comments:
Post a Comment