Chill Out About Energy Costs And Save This Summer
This week is National Air Conditioning Appreciation Week, so we thought we'd feature a guest post from our friends and Premium Service Partners, Petro, Heating & Air Conditioning Services.
Chill Out About Energy Costs And Save This Summer
Here's a cool AC checklist! It will help you decide the AC system that’s best for your home and how to maintain it. There’s also great tips and rules of thumb to help you stay comfortable and save in the warm weather.
AC checklist:
- Get the right equipment and get it installed correctly – Replacing old cooling equipment with a new, energy-efficient model is the best way to save energy costs. But to reach its potential, new equipment must be the right size and properly installed. Improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30% – costing more on utility bills and possibly shortening the life of the equipment (see chart at right).1
- Bigger isn’t necessarily better – An AC system that’s too large won’t keep your home comfortable because of frequent “on/off” cycling. Incorrect sizing can also put stress on system components and shorten the life of equipment.
- Change filters regularly – Check filters monthly, especially during heavy use months. If it looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change filters every 3 months to improve efficiency and air quailty.1
- Tune up equipment – Take care of problems BEFORE they happen by scheduling an off-season tune-up – before it gets too hot!1
- Install a programmable thermostat – One of the cheapest and easiest ways to save up to $180 in energy costs and reduce your home’s carbon footprint is to automatically heat and cool your home while at work or sleeping.1
- Clear areas around systems or units – Remove leaves and other debris from around system components to improve air flow.1 Seal ducts properly – If ducts are leaky, more than 20% of the air moving through the system is leaking into spaces you do not want cooled.1 Petro service technicians test the leakage rate and use duct sealant, a metal-backed tape, or aerosol sealant, to seal duct seams and connections.
- Optimize air flow – If air flow in your cooling system is too high or too low, it may lead to higher utility bills. Petro service technicians can also test air flow and make any needed adjustments for optimal performance.1
- Install ceiling fans – Fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic.2
- Take advantage of stimulus offerings and rebates – Find out if you qualify for any federal or state tax savings.
1 www.energystar.gov. ENERGY STAR is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy
2 U.S. Department of Energy, www.energy.gov
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