How can you save energy and lower utility bills?

• Upgrade your HVAC system to one with an SEER rating of at least 13. If your ac unit is more than 12 years old, consider replacing it with a more efficient sustem.
• Improve your ducts by sealing leaks and insulating ducts in the attics and crawl spaces. This will improve your system’s overall performance and your home’s comfort and indoor air quality.
• Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings when you’re away or sleeping. When used properly, a programmable thermostat with it’s 4 temperature settings can save up to $100 a year in energy costs.
• Save with a manual thermostat too. Every degree you set your thermostat up in hot weather or down in cool weather will help you save on your overall energy bill.
• Install your central HVAC indoor unit in the garage or indoors only—not in the attic.
• Keep your ceiling fan on when you’re in the room. This can help save on cooling costs. In summer, run the blades counter-clockwise (downward) to cool more efficiently. On hotter days, dialing the thermostat up by only 2 degrees and using the ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by over 14% over the course of the cooling season. Ceiling fans only cool people, not the room, so when you leave the room, turn the ceiling fan off.
• Proper maintenance is vital to ensuring that your HVAC system is operating efficiently and safely. Have a pre-season check-up in the spring and fall to ensure all your parts are working properly to avoid early system failure. During these check-ups, your system’s coils will be checked. A dirty coil reduces the system’s ability to cool your home and causes the system to run longer, costing you more energy dollars and decreasing the life of the equipment.
• Find and seal the leaks around your windows, doors and ducts.
• Keep air registers and vents clear to allow air to flow freely throughout the room.

Have questions about these tips? Give our office a call at 407-291-1644 for more information.