Whether we are in the height of summer or the dead of winter, our homes use a lot of energy to keep us comfortable. Sure, our heating and cooling systems are a big part of that expense, but there are other parts of our home that can affect its efficiency. If you’ve replaced your furnace or air conditioner recently, you may have received an energy audit that showed areas of your home that could use improvement. If not, we’ve got a few tips that you can use to ‘go green,’ save energy and feel better about protecting the environment.
Reduce the temperate on your water heater
Most people have their hot water heater set at a higher temperature than what’s needed. This means you are constantly heating the water in the tank and wasting energy when you’re not using it. Make sure the temperature is set no higher than 120 degrees. When you are on vacation, you can turn down the heat so you’re not wasting energy. We’ve even heard of homeowners who turn the temperature down at night, and then increase it again in the morning just before they shower. That seems like a lot of work, but if it saves money, it might be worth it!
Install a programmable thermostat
Most of us go to work for eight to 10 hours a day so there’s no point in keeping your air conditioner or furnace blasting while you aren’t home. So instead of wasting energy and money, install a programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust the temperature at certain times of the day. Set the thermostat to pump out some cold air 20 minutes before you arrive home. Your wallet will be happy.
Replace furnace and air conditioner filters
Air filters get dirty with dust, pollutants and pet hair. When they get clogged, the system won’t run as efficiently as it could – plus it’s sending all that dust back through your home. When your system isn’t running efficiently, you pay the price with increased heating or cooling costs. Every system is different, so check the manufacturer’s specifications for how often you should change your filter.
Schedule regular maintenance
Your heating and cooling system is just like a car. It needs regular maintenance to run at optimal efficiency. At a minimum, you should have your furnace and air conditioner inspected by a professional once a year. This is also a great way to catch small issues before they become major ones.
Plant trees in your yard
This is probably our ‘greenest’ suggestion of them all! Plant trees in key areas of your yard. Deciduous trees can provide shade during the summer and allow light (and warmth) to reach your house in the winter. It might be a while before you see the full effects of this step, but it will be worth it when your family can relax under a nice oak tree.
Install a geothermal system
If you’re ready to make a big step toward going green, consider installing a geothermal system. Geothermal heating and cooling taps into the earth’s (almost) constant temperature of 54 degrees 10 feet below the surface of the ground. By tapping into this energy to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer, homeowners can save a lot of money. The initial investment is higher than a forced air heating and cooling system, but you will save a lot of money in the long run.
These are just a few tips you can use to go green and save energy heating and cooling your home. If you have any questions, give our office a call at 216-663-6462.