Heating and Cooling Tips
Save money on your heating and cooling bills!!!
- Adjust your thermostat when you are asleep or away from your home. You can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from its normal setting for 8 hours a day. The recommended thermostat settings when you are home are 68 F in winter, and 78 F in summer.
- Leave your thermostat’s fan switch on “auto” so the fan only runs when the air conditioner runs. Setting the fan to “on” causes it to run all the time, whether or not heating or cooling is needed.
- Install a programmable thermostat for your comfort and convenience. It can adjust the heat or air conditioning for times you typically are away (when you go to work), and again for times you typically are home. You also can program it to turn the heat down when you go to sleep, and turn it back up before you wake up in the morning. It adjusts automatically, so you don’t have to remember to do it.
- Turn your thermostat down to 55 F when using a fireplace. Older, wood-burning fireplaces tend to be inefficient and can be costly, drawing more heated air out of your home through the chimney than a fire can produce. Turn the thermostat down when you cozy up in front of the fire. After the smoldering embers are out, close the flue damper to keep warm air in the house.
- Use shades, blinds, and drapes to help with heating and cooling. Open them to gain the sun’s heat during heating season, and close them to block the heat during cooling season. Make it a habit today.
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and siding with caulk and weather stripping. This prevents loss of heated or cooled air, and improves the comfort of your home.
- Use fans in summer, even if you have air conditioning. Circulating cool air makes it feel cooler. Using an air conditioner and fan together means you can set the thermostat at a higher-than-normal setting to save energy. Keep in mind that it does little good to run fans when you are not in the same room. Similar to an outdoor breeze on a hot summer day, air moving across your body is what makes you feel cooler.
- Choose efficient air conditioners and furnaces when it’s time for replacement. Furnaces and air conditioners are expensive to operate, and to replace. If you need a new one, do not assume the size of the current unit is appropriate. Look at the unit’s efficiency rating. Furnaces with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of at least 92, and an electrically efficient blower motor (ECW or variable speed) are best. If you use your central air conditioner a lot, look for a model with a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 14 or more for the best efficiency. For any questions, please contact Tucson Air conditioning and Home Maintenance.
