Published by the U.S. Department of Energy

This article will help you find strategies to help you save energy during the cool fall and cold winter months. Some of the tips below are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the winter.

If you haven’t already, conduct an energy assessment to find out where you can save the most, and consider making a larger investment for long-term energy savings.

Also check out no-cost and low-cost tips to save energy during the spring and summer.

Take Advantage of Heat from the Sun

• Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Cover Drafty Windows

• Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
  Find out about other window treatments and coverings that can improve energy efficiency.

Adjust the Temperature

• When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable.
• When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
  Find out how to operate your thermostat for maximum energy savings. Also see ENERGY STAR’s June 5, 2008, podcast for video instructions on operating your programmable thermostat.

Find and Seal Leaks

• Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes (“plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
  Find out how to detect air leaks.
  Learn more about air sealing new and existing homes.
• Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
  Find out how to select and apply the appropriate caulk.
  Learn how to select and apply weatherstripping.

Maintain Your Heating Systems

• Schedule service for your heating system.
  Find out what maintenance is required to keep your heating system operating efficiently.
• Furnaces: Replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed.
  Find out more about maintaining your furnace or boiler.
• Wood- and Pellet-Burning Heaters: Clean the flue vent regularly and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically to ensure that your home is heated efficiently.
  Find other maintenance recommendations for wood- and pellet-burning appliances.

Reduce Heat Loss from the Fireplace

• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
• When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly — approximately 1 inch — and close doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F.
• If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
• If you do use the fireplace, install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
• Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
• Purchase grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.
• Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.
  Find out more techniques to improve your fireplace or wood-burning appliance’s efficiency.
  Learn tips for safe and efficient fireplace installation and wood burning.

Lower Your Water Heating Costs

Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in your home.

• Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.
  Find other strategies for energy-efficient water heating.

Lower Your Holiday Lighting Costs

• Use light-emitting diode — or “LED” — holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays.
  Learn about the advantages and potential cost savings of LED holiday light strings.
  Find manufacturers and brands of ENERGY STAR®-qualified decorative light strings.

 

 

Prepare your HVAC System for the Spring and Summer Weather Now.

Springtime is on its way to Texas. While you’re preparing for the warmer temperatures that are on the way, don’t forget to also prepare your heating & air conditioning system as well. Here are a few HVAC tips to help you prepare for spring and summer.

1. Replace your filters.

The first step in preparing for a change in seasons is to replace your HVAC filters. During periods of heavy usage, you should clean or replace your filters at least once a month. Dirty filters can cause your air conditioning system to work harder than it needs to.

2. Check your ductwork.

Your ductwork (also known as ventilation system) is an important part of your home’s heating and air conditioning system. Check to make sure any holes are sealed and cracks and connectors in the duct system are taken care of as well.

3) Test your air conditioning unit.

Before the really hot days arrive and you really need your system, test your air conditioning unit by turning on and briefly running it. If there are any problems, you’ll have a heads-up before summer really arrives.

4) Clean around the outdoor unit and clear any obstructions.

The outdoor unit of your HVAC system contains the compressor, which is the most important part of the unit. Make sure that you clear any obstructions away from the outdoor unit, including debris such as plants and leaves.

5) Schedule your annual HVAC tune-up with JPH Mechanical Services.

Keeping your HVAC system running great is easy to do with a maintenance agreement from JPH Mechanical Services. Our maintenance agreement provides local HVAC customers with regular maintenance – plus additional benefits.

By: Holtzople

Spring Cleanup List Begins with HVAC

To keep your house in top shape, give systems an annual checkup.

By: Marjie O’Connor

 

Spring cleaning is a tradition, but there are some other chores that should be part of your springtime routine, too. Most of them take only a few minutes, so get started!

1. Check your air-conditioning and heating equipment before the beginning of a new season.
2. Check and replace your furnace and air-conditioning filters every month. There are several types from which to choose, depending on your needs. Fiberglass filters last only one month, while the filters typically last three to four months. HEPA filters last up to six months and can be cleaned with a vacuum nozzle.
3. To keep a dehumidifier working properly, remove its housing and let the unit dry completely. Vacuum every accessible surface and crevice.
4. Clean your bathroom fans once a year. Take the cover off, wash it in soapy water and clean dirt off the fan blades with a toothbrush. Be sure the power is off when you do this!
5. Check the flappers on your toilets at least once a year. If they are showing their age, replace them before they start leaking and wasting water.
6. Remove all faucet handles and clean their insides to keep the screws from corroding. Use a rust remover if necessary.
7. Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors twice a year: when the time changes to daylight savings time and then back to standard time. While you’re at it, dust or vacuum the detectors to keep them working at peak performance.
8. Make sure you have a fully charged fire extinguisher that you can reach quickly and easily.
9. Inspect and, if necessary, caulk around your home’s windows and doors annually. That will help keep out heat and humidity in the summer and cold drafts in the winter—and save money on your utility bills all year round.
10. Open and close all windows. Do they all open easily, yet close tightly? If not, check the weather stripping. There are a number of different types to consider.
11. The best time to caulk a joint outdoors is during the spring or fall. That’s when the width of the joint is halfway between its seasonal extremes. A plastic drinking straw or a length of plastic tubing makes a handy extension tube for caulking hard-to-reach places. Secure the extender with duct tape.
12. To really clear and clean screens for springtime, rub them with kerosene on both sides, then rinse with soap and water. Kerosene fumes are dangerous, so make sure to do this outside or in a well-ventilated area.
13. To fix a small hole in a window or door screen, dab clear household cement over the hole with a toothpick. If the screens are plastic, test the cement on a scrap to make sure it won’t melt the material.
14. Use the same technique to repair screen tears. Pull the two halves of the tear together and hold them in place with masking tape on one side. Apply the household cement to the tear, then smooth with a putty knife. When it’s dry, gently remove the tape and apply cement to the other side.
15. Clean out the gutters of winter debris and check them for damage from ice. Install gutter screens or protectors to help keep debris out of the gutters.
16. If a roof gutter is sagging, pitch it back to a level position by tightening its strap with pliers. The tighter the strap is twisted, the more the gutter will rise.
17. Be sure the gutters slope properly toward the down-spouts.
18. To prevent foundation erosion, build up soil around the house and slope it away from the foundation.

 

50% of your home’s energy costs come from your heating and cooling system.  To help increase the longevity and efficiency of your system, we’ve found some helpful tips from www.bounceenergy.com on how to cut electricity costs during the summer months.

1.   Change your air filters monthly

A dirty air filter can cost you money because it blocks the air flow, causing your unit to work harder to push cool air through your home.   A clean air filter will save you money on energy costs and prolong the life of your air conditioner.  Avoid filters that restrict the airflow.  Also, there is no such thing as a “3-month” filter.  Filters need to be changed when they start to get dirty.  This might be 30 days, 60 days, or longer depending on the conditions inside your home.

 2.   Set temperature on a Programmable Thermostat

According to the Energystar.gov website, you can save about $180 annually by using a programmable thermostat (Note: this figure only applies if using the thermostat correctly). Programming temperature changes throughout the day will allow you to maximize the usage of an air conditioner to coincide with the outside conditions (night vs. day). It will also help you by automatically adjusting the temperature up when you are away at work or school (no sense in cooling an empty house for 8+ hours a day). If you are forgetful, this tool is an easy way to automate your savings. Just don’t forget to change the programming for each season!

If you’re looking to upgrade or switch to a programmable thermostat be sure to click on the link below to get a sneak peak at one of the newest and most innovative smart thermostats that will soon be on the market.  The Lyric Thermostat by Honeywell is making a name for itself with its many features.  Take a look!

http://www.lyric.honeywell.com/

3.  Ceiling Fans

Fans are an efficient way to make a room comfortable without having to lower the temperature. The air circulation they provide evaporates moisture on your skin, causing you to feel cooler. The combination of fan use and prudent management of your a/c settings will result in overall energy savings. If you do not have ceiling fans, they can be easily installed in almost any room with an overhead light.  Also make sure that your fan blades are spinning in the correct direction for the summer months.  The fan should blow down in the summer and up in the winter.

4.  Use Shades/Blinds

One way to cool your house is by not letting the heat in. Shades and/or blinds provide a great barrier to the outside heat, and not require any electricity usage. If you currently have shades in your home then during the day, remember to keep them closed, especially when the sun is beating down in the afternoon. If you do not have shades or blinds in your home, they can get pretty expensive, so at least try to cover the windows that get the most sun exposure. Another option is solar screens, which block out 90% of the UV rays while still allowing you to see out your windows.

5.  Keep plants cut back around unit

Keep shrubs and vines away from your outside a/c unit by at least 12″-24.”  The a/c unit needs to “breathe” to operate efficiently.

6.  Air Conditioner Maintenance- THE MOST IMPORTANT

Proper maintenance of your air conditioning can ensure that your system will operate at its optimal efficiency level. The more efficiently it runs the less energy/money you waste. The best time to have your system serviced is in the winter or early summer, before the 100+ degree days start.  Proper maintenance can also prevent many small problems from becoming big, expensive ones later.  Call or email us to schedule your annual maintenance.