Now that spring weather is here, you have a golden opportunity to make some energy-wise changes before another hot summer arrives. The following home energy-saving tips can help you keep consumption and costs under control and boost your comfort too.
Get your air conditioner tuned up. Scheduling A/C maintenance with your HVAC contractor before you start it up for the season guarantees it's ready and able to keep your home comfortable when the temperatures soar. To keep your cooling system operating at maximum efficiency, remember to check the air filter every month and change it as needed.
Upgrade to a programmable thermostat. If you're still using a manual thermostat, talk to your HVAC pro about the benefits of switching to a programmable model. You'll learn that it's the most convenient way to schedule daily eight-hour, 10-to 15-degree temperature setbacks and save energy.
Have your ducts sealed and insulated. A knowledgeable HVAC specialist will also advise that sealing your ducts can stop the loss of up to 30 percent of your A/C's cooling output. By having the seams and joints sealed with foil-backed tape, and wrapping the ducts with R-6 insulation, you'll see a drop in energy consumption and an increase in comfort.
Increase your water heating efficiency. The sediment that builds up in your tank during the normal heating process can erode energy efficiency and even ruin the appliance. Having the tank flushed twice a year to get rid of the accumulation can keep it operating efficiently. While it's being serviced, have the water heater thermostat dialed to 120 degrees and add an insulated jacket if it's an older model.
Check your attic insulation. Have a pro measure the insulation level on your attic floor and, if necessary, get extra installed to bring it up to the recommended minimum of R-49. If it hasn't been done already, make sure your access hatch is insulated on the attic side and properly sealed to stop conditioned air losses.
For more home energy-saving tips, contact Air Assurance. We've helped make life more comfortable for Broken Arrow area homeowners since 1985.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “patrimonio-designs-ltd/Shutterstock”