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Save Energy. Save Money. Who doesn’t want to save money? Especially in today’s recessive economy where worries abound about job security and money management. Pocketbook savviness isn’t just smart; it’s essential. Everyone is searching for more thrifty uses for their hard-earned money. But few realize the best place to start is right under the roof.
Wrap Up
You may think that keeping the temperature on a comfortable setting is wasting energy, but you can take steps to actually lower the temperature while you remain warm and comfortable. The first step is to not waste the heat you’re paying for. The most overlooked source of energy loss isn’t out the window, but through your duct system. I’ve seen duct systems literally falling apart,. That’s a lot of wasted energy. While energy cost savings vary from one home to another, homeowners can save up to 45 percent of their energy when they properly insulate and seal their duct systems.
In addition to checking seals around doors, windows and electrical outlets to make sure air isn’t escaping, you’ll also benefit from having duct work sealed in any attic or unconditioned space. The standard amount of insulation in an unconditioned (unheated basement or crawl area) space should be a least 1.5 inches thick and the duct insulation in an attic should be at least two inches thick. This will reduce energy costs and make your home more comfortable.
Homeowners who recently purchased, or are looking into buying a new home need to have the equipment and duct work inspected by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor. Most home inspectors only stick a thermometer in the duct system to see if the average temperature differential is 18 degrees, Unfortunately, the inspectors can be incorrect some of the time. A thorough inspection is needed to confirm proper temperatures, operation and air distribution to ensure the best, long-term efficiency possible for the unit.
Filter in the Heat
Once your home is properly insulated and sealed, you can utilize a few everyday appliances that will trim down your utility bills even further. Consider a humidifier.
Humidifiers increase the relative humidity (30 to 45 percent is optimum) in your home to protect furnishings from cracking, reduce static electricity and decrease the number of health issues related to dry air. This is all done by adding moisture to the air in the form of vaporized water. Adding a humidifier is one of the simplest things a homeowner can do to increase comfort while lowering temperatures (and therefore utility costs). It’s not a big ticket item, but a humidifier creates proper humidity levels, which provides greater comfort at lower temperatures while reducing the number of colds and respiratory illnesses. Many humidifiers have electronic sensors that monitor outside temperatures when determining your home’s ideal humidity levels. Modern humidifiers and controls eliminate the ills previously associated with too much or too little humidity.
If you’re not up to purchasing a humidifier, then invest in a quality air filter. I see many homes with cheap poly filters or filters that are not held in place properly, When an inexpensive filter is installed, or any filter isn’t installed properly, it doesn’t do anything but let airborne irritants move right through the air system.
Homeowners should use hi-efficiency or pleated filters. All filters need to be visually inspected each month and replaced as needed. Just pull them out and put them up to the light. As long as you can see through it, even if it appears dirty, it’s okay to use.
To maximize your energy saving efforts, add a programmable thermostat if your unit doesn’t already have one. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you’ll save one percent of your total heating bill for each degree your thermostat is set back in the winter. You can follow the same strategy in the summer when you keep your home warmer than normal. But programmable thermostats do more than just save you money: they maintain a steady temperature in your house and keep you in a constant state of warm and cozy or cool and comfy.
Tax Credit
The air conditioning and heating system consumes nearly half the energy in your home, which is why proper maintenance is vital for longevity, efficiency and safety. If you’re home is around 10 years old, however, you may actually save more money by replacing your old unit with a high-efficiency system.
If your system is more than 10 years old, a new system can usually pay for itself in utility savings during the next five years. After you consider the long-term repair costs of older systems, the additional utility cost, plus the $1,500 tax credit the government is giving for high-efficiency appliances, it makes good financial sense to replace.
The government is now offering a tax credit up to $1,500 for qualifying “Energy Star” high-efficiency appliances, including heating and air conditioning systems. The program runs through Dec. 31, 2010, but just as with “Cash for Clunkers,” the money may run out before then and the rebates will stop, so now is a great time to contact us for details. If you take advantage of the tax credit, make sure your contractor provides an ARI certificate stating the equipment meets the tax credit criteria. You can also go to www.energysavers.gov or www.energystar.gov for information about what appliances qualify and what your state requirements include.
Replacing a heating and air conditioning system is something every homeowner will have to do eventually you should at least take advantage of available tax rebates and get more buck for their dollar.
Saving energy starts at home. Be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
Wrap Up
You may think that keeping the temperature on a comfortable setting is wasting energy, but you can take steps to actually lower the temperature while you remain warm and comfortable. The first step is to not waste the heat you’re paying for. The most overlooked source of energy loss isn’t out the window, but through your duct system. I’ve seen duct systems literally falling apart,. That’s a lot of wasted energy. While energy cost savings vary from one home to another, homeowners can save up to 45 percent of their energy when they properly insulate and seal their duct systems.
In addition to checking seals around doors, windows and electrical outlets to make sure air isn’t escaping, you’ll also benefit from having duct work sealed in any attic or unconditioned space. The standard amount of insulation in an unconditioned (unheated basement or crawl area) space should be a least 1.5 inches thick and the duct insulation in an attic should be at least two inches thick. This will reduce energy costs and make your home more comfortable.
Homeowners who recently purchased, or are looking into buying a new home need to have the equipment and duct work inspected by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor. Most home inspectors only stick a thermometer in the duct system to see if the average temperature differential is 18 degrees, Unfortunately, the inspectors can be incorrect some of the time. A thorough inspection is needed to confirm proper temperatures, operation and air distribution to ensure the best, long-term efficiency possible for the unit.
Filter in the Heat
Once your home is properly insulated and sealed, you can utilize a few everyday appliances that will trim down your utility bills even further. Consider a humidifier.
Humidifiers increase the relative humidity (30 to 45 percent is optimum) in your home to protect furnishings from cracking, reduce static electricity and decrease the number of health issues related to dry air. This is all done by adding moisture to the air in the form of vaporized water. Adding a humidifier is one of the simplest things a homeowner can do to increase comfort while lowering temperatures (and therefore utility costs). It’s not a big ticket item, but a humidifier creates proper humidity levels, which provides greater comfort at lower temperatures while reducing the number of colds and respiratory illnesses. Many humidifiers have electronic sensors that monitor outside temperatures when determining your home’s ideal humidity levels. Modern humidifiers and controls eliminate the ills previously associated with too much or too little humidity.
If you’re not up to purchasing a humidifier, then invest in a quality air filter. I see many homes with cheap poly filters or filters that are not held in place properly, When an inexpensive filter is installed, or any filter isn’t installed properly, it doesn’t do anything but let airborne irritants move right through the air system.
Homeowners should use hi-efficiency or pleated filters. All filters need to be visually inspected each month and replaced as needed. Just pull them out and put them up to the light. As long as you can see through it, even if it appears dirty, it’s okay to use.
To maximize your energy saving efforts, add a programmable thermostat if your unit doesn’t already have one. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you’ll save one percent of your total heating bill for each degree your thermostat is set back in the winter. You can follow the same strategy in the summer when you keep your home warmer than normal. But programmable thermostats do more than just save you money: they maintain a steady temperature in your house and keep you in a constant state of warm and cozy or cool and comfy.
Tax Credit
The air conditioning and heating system consumes nearly half the energy in your home, which is why proper maintenance is vital for longevity, efficiency and safety. If you’re home is around 10 years old, however, you may actually save more money by replacing your old unit with a high-efficiency system.
If your system is more than 10 years old, a new system can usually pay for itself in utility savings during the next five years. After you consider the long-term repair costs of older systems, the additional utility cost, plus the $1,500 tax credit the government is giving for high-efficiency appliances, it makes good financial sense to replace.
The government is now offering a tax credit up to $1,500 for qualifying “Energy Star” high-efficiency appliances, including heating and air conditioning systems. The program runs through Dec. 31, 2010, but just as with “Cash for Clunkers,” the money may run out before then and the rebates will stop, so now is a great time to contact us for details. If you take advantage of the tax credit, make sure your contractor provides an ARI certificate stating the equipment meets the tax credit criteria. You can also go to www.energysavers.gov or www.energystar.gov for information about what appliances qualify and what your state requirements include.
Replacing a heating and air conditioning system is something every homeowner will have to do eventually you should at least take advantage of available tax rebates and get more buck for their dollar.
Saving energy starts at home. Be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
