Heat and Cool Efficiently
programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat saves energy and can help make your home more comfortable.
Annual maintenance is a must for a well performing heating and cooling system. Clean your filter regularly and schedule annual maintenance by a qualified contractor. Learn how to properly install and use a programmable thermostat to save energy.
In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. Sealing those leaks in the ducts is a must to get better performance from your heating and cooling system. In addition, insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces that get especially hot in summer or cold in winter (such as attics, garages, or crawlspaces) can save significant energy. For more detailed information about the importance of sealing the leaks from your ducts go to http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_ducts
If you are looking for new heating or cooling equipment, look for equipment labeled ENERGY STAR. Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent - costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment's life. For specific steps to heat and cool efficiently, follow this link to ENERGY STAR's heat and cool efficiently page and download the Guide to Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
The Earth's heat, called geothermal energy, constantly flows outward from its core and can provide a useful supplement for heating and cooling. Unfortunately, many people think you have to live over a hotspring, a geyser or some other intense source of geothermal heat to be able to make use of this source, but this is far from the truth.
You can use geothermal ene