 |
 |
Energy Tips - Heating & Cooling
|
 |
-
If you do not already have a programmable thermostat, consider purchasing one. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts your home's temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you're away or sleeping. Your investment will pay off usually within one year.
-
Ceiling fans use less energy than regular electric fans, while both use significantly less energy than air conditioners. Ceiling fans cost about 1 cent for two hours of operation as compared to 17 to 25 cents for a room air conditioner and 67 cents to 1 dollar for central air.
-
Instead of running the A/C to cool down the house, try using an air humidifier or opening the windows in the evening. Use your A/C only when necessary and remember to shut off your unit when you are going to be away from home.
-
Turn the water heater down if you leave for vacation. There’s no reason to reheat the same water over and over again if you’re not going to use it.
-
Drain 1.5 litres of water from the faucet at the bottom of your water heater a few times a year to reduce sediment build-up and increase efficiency.
-
Your air conditioner can work up to 20% more efficiently with the proper maintenance. The outdoor coils should be vacuumed or cleaned of dirt and other debris at least once a year. You may want to seek out a professional if the job has been overlooked for some time.
-
Install plastic window film at the beginning of the cooler months. The relatively inexpensive film is available at your local hardware store.
-
When making your home airtight through caulking or weatherstripping, take into account the effect on ventilation. A well-sealed home should continue to have proper air circulation.
-
When installing a new hot water tank or designing a new home place the unit as close as possible to the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms. Heat is lost in long pipe runs. Reducing a hot-water pipe from 10 to 3 metres will save enough energy in one month to heat water for 10 showers.
-
Thin pipes are more energy efficient than thicker pipes; larger amounts of hot water are trapped in thicker pipes and more heat is lost.
-
Give your furnace a check-up. In addition to saving you money and extending its operating life, a properly tuned furnace reduces the chance of harmful gases being released into your home. Schedule an appointment with your local utility or a private contractor to tune up your furnace. Gas furnaces should be tuned up every two years. Oil furnaces should be tuned up annually.
|
Bookmark on del.icio.us 
Share on Facebook
Stumble it