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A/C -
Westland Michigan Home Inspector
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* buying home insulation products, look for the R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
* Have your central air conditioning (AC) system serviced each spring. Your utility company may provide this service.
* Hire a professional to seal and insulate leaky ducts, and to ensure that the airflow distribution system serving your equipment is operating at peak efficiency.
* Clean or replace AC and furnace filters once a month or as needed, and seal holes around plumbing and heating pipes.
* Install a programmable thermostat. You can save money by keeping your house warmer than normal when you're out, and keeping the setting at 78 F when you're home.
* Install drapes, shades, blinds or another window covering. Keeping them closed during the day blocks the sun and the heat from the sun's rays.
* Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows with high-performance glass. Look for low-emissivity (low-e) or spectrally selective glass. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain. In colder climates, select windows that are gas filled with low-e coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss.
* Open your foundation vents each spring if your home has a crawl space under it.
* Install ceiling fans. The air circulation promotes cooling in the summer and heating efficiency in the winter.
* Prune back shrubs and remove debris, like grass and leaves, that may block airflow to your air conditioner.
* Plant a tree. Landscaping is a natural way to shade your home. Well-placed trees and shrubs not only deliver shade, but also add value to your property.
* Shade room air conditioners from direct sun to reduce their workload. Clean the filters once a month and replace them as necessary to promote energy efficiency. Lower the setting when you go out to reduce operating costs.
* Apply a reflective coating to your roof. Dull and dark-colored home exteriors absorb 70 to 90 percent of the sun's energy. Light-colored surfaces reflect most of the heat away from your home.
*f you're buying a new air conditioning system, make sure it is sized correctly (bigger is not always better) and installed properly for cost-effective use. When selecting a new unit, be sure to consider high-efficiency models. While energy efficient appliances may cost more up front, they may save you money in the long run. To compare models, check the black and yellow EnergyGuide labels, which the FTC requires on most major appliances, including central and room air conditioners. The labels provide useful information about products' energy efficiency and estimated annual operating costs. Air conditioners with higher energy efficiency ratios are more energy efficient.
*Ask your utility company about a budget billing plan to protect against sudden or unexpected price increases. Your provider takes the amount of energy you use during one year and divides your monthly payments into equal parts. At the end of the season, you pay any outstanding balance or your provider credits any overpayment to your next monthly bill.
* If you're on a fixed income and have trouble paying your utility bills, contact your utility company. They, or your state or local government, may have energy assistance plans to help you pay your energy bills
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Heating
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Heating Costs up to 20 to 40 Percent this Winter, But Consumers can Save an Equal Amount
Energy Information Administration projections show that homeowners in the Northeast and Midwest can expect a 20 to 40 percent increase in their heating bills this winter. However, there are a number of simple things that homeowners can do to cut those bills by an equal amount and still stay safe and warm this winter. Now is the time to be energy smart.
* Keep your furnace tuned and in top condition. Proper maintenance of your furnace can save 6 to 10 percent of your heating bill. Have a certified technician look at your furnace and make the necessary adjustments before the heating season starts.
* Control the temperature in your home. Keep the thermostat on the lowest setting at which your are comfortable. Each degree you lower the thermostat can save you 2 to 3 percent of your energy bill.
* Use a programmable thermostat and set your thermostat back from 72 degrees to 64 degrees for 8 hours when you are out of the home. This can save you an additional 10 percent off your winter heating bill.
* Weatherize your home. By simply caulking, sealing, and weather stripping around all your windows, outside doors, or where plumbing, ducting, and electrical wiring penetrate exterior walls, floors or ceilings, you can save 10 to 25 percent of your heating bill.
* Add insulation to your attic—it can also pay big dividends. Most homes in the Northeast and Midwest should have at least an R-30 insulation level. Going from an R-19 level to an R-30 level can save 15 percent in heating costs.
* Conserve your hot water. Water heating typically accounts for 14 percent of your utility bill. Repairing leaky faucets, insulating the water heater tank and hot water pipes, and installing low-flow faucets and shower heads can result in significant additional savings.
Other measures that you can take to reduce your energy costs include: (1) buying high efficiency ENERGY STAR labeled products when replacing appliances and equipment, (2) changing your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs, and (3) carefully shopping for the best energy prices and taking advantage of rebates and tax credits whenever available.
Adopting these measures can help you lower the cost of heating your home—while increasing your comfort—during this winter. |
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