Putting together an energy saving strategy and executing it could be one of the best uses of your time. Cooling and heating takes approximately half of the average household’s energy budget, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, so a thoughtful strategy will keep more money in your pocket over the long haul.
Cooling
Create money-saving habits with your cooling system by changing the air filter for the air handler when it gets dirty and keeping the outdoor condenser clean and free from vegetative debris. Have the system serviced annually by an HVAC professional to prolong its life and reduce energy consumption. Install a programmable thermostat, especially if you’re away on a regular basis.
Water heating
Drain a quart or two from the bottom of the water heater every three months to lower hard water deposits. These deposits increase the time it takes to heat water, which is the second most energy-consuming activity in your home. It also helps to have a licensed plumber inspect the water heater occasionally to increase its life and reduce operating costs. Turning the temperature down to 120 degrees also lowers water-heating costs and prevents most scalding injuries, as does wrapping it with an insulated jacket, available at home centers.
Using an energy saving strategy for your other appliances will also slash your bills, especially when you:
- Keep the lint screen for your dryer clean to speed drying time and lower the risk of dryer fires.
- Wash full loads of clothes in your washer and use the hot water setting sparingly. This appliance uses the same amount of electricity, regardless of load size.
- Run full loads in the dishwasher at night when it’s cooler and turn off the heated dry setting.
- Use the microwave in the summer to reduce the heat in the kitchen, especially when reheating food. Slow cookers use small amounts of electricity and won’t overheat the kitchen.
If you’d like more information about implementing an energy saving strategy for your home’s cooling system, contact Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve provided HVAC services for McKinney, Frisco and Allen for more than 31 years.
