Energy & Money Saving Tips

COOLING SEASON TIPS

Before calling for Service, there are a few things you can check:

  • Check to see if someone moved the thermostat switch from "Cool" to "Heat".
  • Check to see if the switch on the side of the indoor furnace was accidentally left off.
  • Make sure the electrical breaker to both the Furnace and the Air Conditioner is in the ON position.
  • Check to make sure your outside disconnect switch has not been turn off.
  • Make sure the indoor return air filter is clean!!
  • Check to make sure there is nothing blocking the sides or top of your air conditioner.

MORE COOLING ADVICE

In the summer time, the air conditioner uses the blower portion of your furnace to distribute air throughout your home - Help your furnace to breath easy and work effectively by cleaning or replacing the return air filters every month! A dirty filter in the summer time can cause an air conditioner to "ice up"! A good way to remember to change the filter is to do it every time you get your electric bill.

Airflow in your duct system is extremely critical in the operation of your air conditioning system. Check air registers to make sure they are not blocked. Also, placing furniture on top or in front of your air registers can dramatically decrease the effectiveness and performance of your system.

In light of the current energy concerns it is critical to make the most efficient use of your utility dollars, establish YOUR comfort temperature, set your thermostat for that temperature and forget it. As with heating, it takes less energy to cool air 4 to 5 degrees than it does to cool air 8 to 10 degrees! Also remember, the longer an air conditioner runs the more efficient it is at removing humidity from your home!

All air conditioning manufacturers recommend having your air

conditioner Tuned-Up every season. Tune-Up's have been known to reduce operation costs by as much as 20%, not to mention prolonging the operating life of your system!!

Kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans should be used sparingly during the summer. Remember, in just (1) hour, these fans can exhaust a "houseful" of costly, cooled air!

When replacing your old air conditioning system make sure to look at all your energy savings equipment options - what you might save on "up front", could cost you in the "long run"!

Run your furnace blower in the "ON" position on your thermostat rather than the "AUTO" position. This will help the keep the air "mixed" within all parts of the house, helping to eliminate hot and cold spots.

A great example of this is to observe a bottle of vinegar and oil salad dressing. When the bottle has set for a period of time the ingredients separate, when you shake the bottle up the ingredients are mixed fairly evenly within the bottle - very similar to the air in your home!

MORE COOLING ADVICE

In the summer time, the air conditioner uses the blower portion of your furnace to distribute air throughout your home - Help your furnace to breath easy and work effectively by cleaning or replacing the return air filters every month! A dirty filter in the summer time can cause an air conditioner to "ice up"! A good way to remember to change the filter is to do it every time you get your electric bill.

Airflow in your duct system is extremely critical in the operation of your air conditioning system. Check air registers to make sure they are not blocked. Also, placing furniture on top or in front of your air registers can dramatically decrease the effectiveness and performance of your system.

In light of the current energy concerns it is critical to make the most efficient use of your utility dollars, establish YOUR comfort temperature, set your thermostat for that temperature and forget it. As with heating, it takes less energy to cool air 4 to 5 degrees than it does to cool air 8 to 10 degrees! Also remember, the longer an air conditioner runs the more efficient it is at removing humidity from your home!

All air conditioning manufacturers recommend having your air conditioner Tuned-Up every season. Tune-Up's have been known to reduce operation costs by as much as 20%, not to mention prolonging the operating life of your system!!

Kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans should be used sparingly during the summer. Remember, in just (1) hour, these fans can exhaust a "houseful" of costly, cooled air!

When replacing your old air conditioning system make sure to look at all your energy savings equipment options - what you might save on "up front", could cost you in the "long run"!

Run your furnace blower in the "ON" position on your thermostat rather than the "AUTO" position. This will help the keep the air "mixed" within all parts of the house, helping to eliminate hot and cold spots.

A great example of this is to observe a bottle of vinegar and oil salad dressing. When the bottle has set for a period of time the ingredients separate, when you shake the bottle up the ingredients are mixed fairly evenly within the bottle - very similar to the air in your home!

HEATING SEASON TIPS

Before calling for Service, there are a few things you can check:

  • Check to see if someone moved the thermostat switch from "Heat" to "Cool".
  • Check to see if the switch on the side of the furnace was accidentally left off.
  • Make sure the electrical breaker is ON.
  • Make sure there is not a problem with the gas service coming into the house.
  • Make sure the return air filter is clean.
    Check the flue cap for obstructions; bird nests, snow build up, etc…

MORE HEATING ADVICE

Set your thermostat at your comfort level and then FORGET you have one. It takes less energy to heat air 4 to 5 degrees than it does to heat air 8 to 10 degrees. Setting your thermostat too far back does not save energy; a difference of 4 to 5 degrees is the recommended set back temperatures.

Help your furnace to breath easy and work effectively by cleaning or replacing the return air filters every month! Remember, the more "junk" that builds up on your filter, the harder it is for air to pass through it.

Clean warm air registers to make sure they are not blocked. Also, placing furniture on top or in front of your warm air registers can dramatically decrease the effectiveness of your system.

Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans wisely - remember the air you are exhausting was conditioned using your furnace = $$.

Keep drapes and shades open on the south facing window during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home (but make sure to close them at night to reduce the chill and draft associated with windows).

When replacing your old heating system make sure to look at all your energy savings equipment options - what you might save on "up front", could cost you in the "long run"!

Run your furnace blower in the "ON" position rather than the "AUTO" position. This will help the keep the air "mixed" within all parts of the house, helping to eliminate hot and cold spots.

MORE HEATING ADVICE

Set your thermostat at your comfort level and then FORGET you have one. It takes less energy to heat air 4 to 5 degrees than it does to heat air 8 to 10 degrees. Setting your thermostat too far back does not save energy; a difference of 4 to 5 degrees is the recommended set back temperatures.

Help your furnace to breath easy and work effectively by cleaning or replacing the return air filters every month! Remember, the more "junk" that builds up on your filter, the harder it is for air to pass through it.

Clean warm air registers to make sure they are not blocked. Also, placing furniture on top or in front of your warm air registers can dramatically decrease the effectiveness of your system.

Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans wisely - remember the air you are exhausting was conditioned using your furnace = $$.

Keep drapes and shades open on the south facing window during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home (but make sure to close them at night to reduce the chill and draft associated with windows).

When replacing your old heating system make sure to look at all your energy savings equipment options - what you might save on "up front", could cost you in the "long run"!

Run your furnace blower in the "ON" position rather than the "AUTO" position. This will help the keep the air "mixed" within all parts of the house, helping to eliminate hot and cold spots.

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