Whether you want to set a good example when it comes to preserving the environment or you just want to see a lower bill from your electric company, you are probably looking at your heating and air system first when it comes to finding places to save energy. While this isn't a bad place to start, don't miss other factors in your home that may play a role in forcing your HVAC system to run inefficiently. As long as it isn't on its last legs and is sized correctly for your home, the problem may not be with the system itself. Here are some things you can do to make sure you're getting the most out of it.
Creating an Energy Environment When looking around your home for ways to save energy, it's important to remember some simple rules. The first is the size of your heating and air system. If it is too large or too small for your house, you aren't going to get the best efficiency out of it. If you realize this prior to installation, you can invest in an HVAC company that will sell you a unit appropriately sized. Looking towards another important aspect of energy savings, check your insulation. This is important, not just in the attic, but in the walls and basement as well. Your conditioned air can escape from anywhere you let it. Finally, implement fans to supplement your A/C. You'll notice an immediate savings.
The Air Conditioning Unless you live in an area that rarely gets above 70 degrees, the most likely drain on your electricity in your A/C. Even if you only use it a few months out of the year, most people spend more to run their A/C each year than they do their refrigerator, which runs year round. If you aren't sure how much of your energy bill is to blame on the A/C, you can do a simple test. Take the electric bill from the last month that you didn't use it and take one from a month when you did. Subtract one from the other and you'll have the monthly cost of running your A/C. Now you'll know if heating and air should be your energy savings target or if you need to focus your attention elsewhere.
Important Factors There are several factors that influence how large or small your electric bill is each month. Look at the average age of your appliances. Older appliances are always going to use much more energy. If you don't have proper insulation, you're almost certainly going to spend more on heating and air. Finally, don't get stuck on the small stuff. Keeping your computer on, leaving the fridge open too long when looking for something to eat, and leaving a light on in the hall isn't going to make much of a difference either way, so don't stress about it.
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