HEATING AND COOLING TIPS

Heating and cooling your home uses more energy than any other system in your home. On average, 44 percent of your utility bill will go for heating and cooling. Regardless of the heating and cooling system, you can save money and increase comfort with a few tips and proper maintenance. Remember, the best approach combines equipment maintenance with appropriate insulation, weather-proofing, and thermostat settings. Combined, you can cut your energy bills in half. Below are a few basic tips to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

1. In the winter, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. (as high as is comfortable in summer)
2. Check your pilot light. It should always be a clear blue. A yellow-orange flame is a sign of a problem.
3. Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or more if needed.
4. Make sure all registers are in the open position & have no air flow obstructions, such as furniture, drapes or carpeting.
5. Make sure areas with windows and doors are completely sealed at all times. Although they are closed, windows and doors tend to lose heat.
6. Caulk windows, seal can lighting and seal electrical outlets on exterior walls to prevent heat loss and resulting in huge money savings.
7. Weather strip doors & windows.
8. Check for disconnected or crushed duct work.
9. Clean humidifiers at the beginning of each season.
10. Be conservative when using kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans (in just 1 hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air). Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.
11. Keep draperies and shades open on south-facing windows during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home; close them during the summer to keep cool.
12. Close an unoccupied room that is isolated from the rest of the house, such as in a corner, and close the register (or turn down the thermostat for that room or zone). Note: closing on a heat pump (vs. furnace) can harm the pump (see owners manual for details about your system).
13. Select energy-efficient equipment when you buy new heating equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage.

What if you are not a “Do It Yourselfer”? Call South Air Heating and Cooling. Our well trained technician’s will be able to assist in making your home energy efficient. Don’t forget to ask us about our Customer Trust Guarantee.