Heating Efficiency Tips

It is common knowledge that heating and cooling systems are hungry when it comes to power consumption. They eat up electricity quite fast and this is the reason why you are always on the look for ways to lower your heating bills. While most think that the idea is impossible, but there are really ways to do it. You can practice energy efficient methods so you won’t be constantly worried about your ever rising bills. One way to do this is by installing a programmable thermostat. This gives you the freedom to set the thermostat back automatically during nighttime and when you are away from home during the day. This gives you the option to minimize heating and cooling usage.

Another energy efficient method is to make sure that the unit’s ducts are properly sealed and insulated. Make sure that there are no leaks or whatsoever thru unheated spaces. This will ensure that the system is maximizing power use and there is no chance of power loss. Check forced-air furnaces filters on a regular basis. Clean them and if necessary, replace them like once every month. For reusable filters, shake them and spray them with a garden hose to ensure that all debris is dislodged. When reinstalling, make sure that they are dry. For an extra layer of insulation, you can add drapes. Also, you can use blinds as this can also insulate but aren’t as effective as drapes. Keep your drapes closed at night and open during sunny day to allow the sun’s free heat to enter the room. For maximum efficiency, never block baseboards, registers, radiators or cold air returns. Air must freely flow through and around them for optimal efficiency.

In case you are planning to install a new heating system, one good tip to follow is to get a heat pump. This can increase energy efficiency. When buying, check the energy guide label and see to it that they have the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This is what measures the efficiency during the cold season. Another thing to look is the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). This is what measures the energy efficiency during the summer or hot season. It will be best to pick the ones with 12 SEER and 7.2 HSPF.

Cooling Efficiency Tips

During summer season, you want to escape the heat by staying inside your house with the AC system on. While you enjoy the comfort of cool air circulating inside the room, at the back of your mind, you are getting worried about the high cost that your cooling system can pose to your bill. But don’t fret. There are ways to efficiently use your AC system. One way is to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher if that is still okay with you. The higher the thermostat levels, the less it will run unnecessarily. This will ensure that you are maximizing the use of your unit without wasting power.

Another way is to keep the AC filters clean. A clean and debris-free filter ensures an efficiently running unit. A clogged filter can cause the AC to work even harder thus consuming more power. So, it is a must to check regularly the condition of your filter. Replace it when necessary. For much better performance, clean the exposed grill and spines. Make sure that the window AC is not blocked or there are no objects leaning on it or is blocking the path of air flowing in and out of the system.

A good energy efficient tip is to use programmable thermostat. Set timers to ensure that the unit is only working when necessary. When you are at home, minimize the use of heat-generating appliance like oven, dryer, washing machine etc. Also, never place lamps or televisions near the AC system. The thermostat can sense the heat from these devices and this can cause it to run longer. All these tips are easy to follow so you shouldn’t have a hard time lowering your cooling consumption.