Energy Savings Tips

When it comes to saving on your utility bills, a great place to start is learning the most you can about your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. That’s why it’s critical to look for opportunities to improve the efficiency of these systems.

1. Replace old or failing mechanical equipment
   
   If your heating or cooling equipment is more than 10 years old, needs expensive repairs, or no longer keeps you comfortable, it may be time to replace it.
   
   When replacing, look for performance certified equipment which guarantees you that the manufacturers’ claims of energy efficiency performance are accurate.
   
   When replacing cooling and heating systems, it is important to understand how their energy efficiency is determined.
   
   Learn about the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standard for efficiency comparisons of central air conditioning.
   
   Learn how the Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating can be used to compare the efficiencies of furnaces.
   
   Learn about the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) to compare efficiencies in heat pump systems.
   
   Simply put, the higher the SEER rating on air conditioners, the higher the AFUE rating on furnaces and the higher the HSPF rating on heat pump systems - the more efficient the product. Higher efficient products result in lower energy usage, thus you save more money.
   
   
2. Work with a qualified Contracting Company
   
   Make sure that you use a qualified heating and cooling contractor that has NATE certified technicians who will properly match, properly size and properly install the equipment in your home. Your contractor should determine the right size for your equipment using the ACCA / ANSI Manual J sizing calculation tool, which considers specific attributes about your home.
   
   
3. Install a programmable thermostat
   
   According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a programmable thermostat can save you about $150 a year in energy costs if it is properly used. It is recommended for people who are away from home during set times of the day during the week.
   
   Another way to determine your potential savings is to use the Department of Energy’s Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network report which states that programmable thermostats can reduce heating costs by up to 35% and cooling costs by up to 25%.
   
   To increase your energy savings, the EPA recommends that you:
   
   
   • Keep the thermostat set at energy saving temperatures for long periods of time, such as during the day when no one is home and through the night.
   • Resist the urge to override the pre-programmed settings. Every time you do, you use more energy and may end up paying more on your energy bill.
   • Set the “hold” button at a constant energy saving temperature when going away for the weekend or on vacation.
   • Install your thermostat away from heating or cooling registers, appliances, lighting, doorways, skylights, and windows, and areas that receive direct sunlight or drafts. Interior walls are best.
   • If you have a heat pump, you may need a special programmable thermostat to maximize your energy savings year-round. Talk to your contractor for the details before selecting your thermostat.
4. Be sure to have your equipment regularly maintained
   
   
   • Change the air filter. Check the filter and change it if it’s dirty, or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Regularly changing the filter keeps dust from collecting on the evaporator coil fins. Keeping your filter clean can also cut energy consumption anywhere from 5% to 15%. Turn off the power to the furnace before pulling the filter out so the blower doesn’t come on and blow dust throughout the system. Be sure to position the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
   • Clear away debris such as leaves, grass, weeds and plants that block airflow through the outdoor condensing unit, which is the large metal box in your yard next to your home. Anything that collects on the unit’s fins will block airflow and reduce its efficiency. Grass clippings thrown by the lawn mower are particularly common offenders.
   • Occasionally clean the outdoor condensing unit by spraying it with a water hose.
   • Check to see that vents in the house are unobstructed. Air in your home needs to circulate easily through the vents. Your furnace works less when heated air is not blocked and the cooler air can circulate back freely.
   • Set the fan speed on high except in very humid weather. When it's humid, set the speed on low; you will get less cooling, but the air circulation will make it feel cooler.
   • Hire a qualified heating and cooling contractor. A well trained technician will find and fix problems in your central cooling and heating system. However, not all service technicians have the same level of training. Look for a company that has technicians that are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE).
     
     Be sure to insist that the technician:
     
     • Check for the correct amount of refrigerant and test for refrigerant leaks.
     • Capture any refrigerant that must be evacuated from the system.
     • Measure air flow through the evaporator coil.
     • Check the accuracy of the thermostat.
     • Verify the correct electric control sequence and make sure that the heating system and cooling system cannot operate simultaneously.
     • Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten connections, and apply a non-conductive coating if necessary.
     • Oil motors and check belts for tightness and wear. Loose belts can increase furnace operating time. Replace frayed or cracked belts. Two or three drops of oil in the motor will keep it running smoothly. Please note that sealed blower motors require no lubrication.
     • Make sure blower doors are replaced properly. This keeps combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide separate from the warm air circulated through your home.
     • Check to see that the exhaust flue to the outside is clear of obstructions and in good condition from the furnace to the roof cap with all connections securely fastened. A contractor will check it by removing the flue cap near the furnace and water heater and looking through the flue to the outside. The flue cap needs to be replaced securely. If the furnace or water heater is in an enclosed room or closet, they need to get plenty of air. These appliances need ten cubic feet of air for one cubit foot of natural gas to operate properly. Furnace rooms or closets should have door louvers or vents or a duct directly to the outside to provide sufficient combustion air.
5. Install Zoning
   
   A zoning system can drastically lower your heating and cooling costs. With zoning, you no longer have to pay to heat or cool areas of your home that are less frequently used.

Two stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household-cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures.

Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation and enhanced humidity control. Compared to a single-stage unit, a two-stage air conditioner or heat pump can remove twice as much moisture from the air. This is important because when moisture levels are high, there's a higher potential for mold and other pollutant problems.

Two stage heating means the furnace has two levels of heat output: high for cold winter days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household heating demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and provides more even heat distribution.

Longer running, low capacity operation has many advantages:

Consistent Comfort
Two stage heating eliminates the temperature swings associated with standard furnaces, regulating temperature to within as little as one degree of the thermostat setting.

Quiet Operation
Two stage furnaces start in the first stage, when the amount of heat required is lower, instead of reaching full capacity all at once. That means there's no sudden "kick" or blast of air.

Improved Air Filtration
Low speed operation allows your filters to capture more contaminants because air is continually passing through them. This means you will be breathing cleaner indoor air.

Efficient Performance
Because the furnace operates mostly in its lower capacity first stage, it burns less fuel than a standard furnace that always runs at full capacity and shuts off when the heating demand has been met.

The most important thing you can do is clean and replace your filters frequently. Additionally, a system heats and cools more evenly when the blower is in the "on" position. The blower provides constant air movement throughout the home, and allows for better filtration. Finally, shades, drapes, shutters, or screens should be installed on windows that are exposed to extreme sunlight.

No. Closing the registers will decrease the system’s airflow and efficiency. Every system is designed to cool a certain number of square feet. By closing registers and doors in certain rooms, you disrupt the airflow and cause your air conditioning system to work harder to distribute air to other areas of your home. Your system will work harder, to cool less space, making it cycle more and become less efficient.