AC Mini Splits Blog

As consumers we have always been looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly as well as save energy for the sake of saving of our pocketbooks. With energy being such an expensive commodity, just look at gas prices, we need to be more diligent now in saving energy than we ever have been in the past. Throughout this report you will discover the many ways that you can save energy in your home, which will directly affect you and how much money you spend each year on energy.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average family spends $1,300 per year on home energy bills. Much of this energy is wasted due to inefficiency in heating, air condition and ventilation units. Windows often leak conditioned air due to age and older appliances tend to use much more energy than newer appliances. Because the energy is generated by fossil fuels, much of the carbon dioxide from this energy is released into the atmosphere. In fact, a single home can produce more carbon dioxide than two cars.

The best way to prevent this is to build the home by incorporating energy-saving features in the home from the start. Unfortunately, many people live in older homes and have very little to no control over the energy saving features that are installed in the home, especially from the start. If you are building a new home, you should do your best to install those features that will be best for the environment and will help you save money on energy bills right from the start.

Heating and Cooling

Much of our home’s energy is lost through our heating and cooling units. According to Energy Star, as much as half of your homes energy goes to heating and cooling the home. It is important that you make smart decisions in this area and spending a little money now can save you a lot in the long run.

One thing you can do each month is check your air filter. This is especially true during the heavy use months, such as the winter and summer when either the heater or the air condition is running at full steam. At the very minimum it is recommended that the filter is changed every 3 months. The effect of a dirty air filter is that the air flow through the house is slowed down, causing your heating and cooling system to work harder and therefore waste energy. A clean air filter will also prolong the life of your heating and air conditioning systems because it is not being clogged up with dust and dirt.

A yearly upgrade on your heating and cooling equipment is also an excellent way to improve the efficiency of your system. One useful upgrade is that you can install a programmable thermostat in y our home. This is an idea way to keep your house heated and cooled at a precise temperature. You are also able to set up preprogrammed settings for when you are away fro m home during the day. It is estimated that a digital thermostat can save you about $150 a year in energy costs.

Your home’s ducts are also an important aspect of your home’s heating and cooling systems. The ducts that move air throughout your home may also waste a lot of energy. By sealing and insulating your ducts, you may be able to improve the efficiency of your systems by as much as 20 percent, according to Energy Star. Some homes are able to save more than that depending on the age of the duct system. Your main focus should be on sealing the ducts that run over your garage, the basement, crawlspaces and attics. The ducts should be wrapped in an insulation that prevents them from getting too hot or cold with changing seasons.

In a house that is 10 years or older, the heating and cooling systems may need to be upgraded. If so, you will need to have your system inspected by a professional HVAC contractor. If you are unable to upgrade, you may need to replace your units with Energy Star units. These are also able to save you up to 20% in heating and cooling costs. It is also essential that your heating and cooling units are the proper size for your home. Units that are too large will run numerous short cycles and will be inefficient in making your home comfortable, while units that are too small will continuously run resulting in higher utility bills.

Don’t Let Your House Be Leaky

There are numerous air leaks in a home that many people do not even realize exist. These leaks exist around windows and doors and are the more obvious ones. There are several that are hidden to you, such as holes in your attic, basement and crawlspaces. These are the holes that are typically causing you more problems when it comes to saving energy in a home. The diagram below is from Energy Star and is an excellent view of where you may be losing valuable energy in your home.

These types of problems are most common in older homes, although new homes may have these issues as well. One way to seal these areas in your home is simply by applying caulk or spray foam. Some of these areas may also be sealed with weather stripping. In older homes, you will not really have to worry about sealing your home too much. Of course you are going to want some fresh air in a home, but there are going to be areas that you will not be able to seal yourself. Before beginning a sealing project, do ensure that your gas, furnaces, water heaters and dryers are all properly vented.

Insulation

Insulation has two important functions in your home. It will keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There are several types of insulation available to you for use in your home. These include:

·  Fiberglass (Available in two forms - batt and blown)
·  Cellulose
·  Rigid foam board
·  Spray foam
·  Reflective insulation

There are different ratings of insulation and these are measured in “R-values.” This value is the insulations ability to resist heat flow. The higher the value the more insulating it will be. There are different values that are recommended for different areas of your home such as the attics, basements, walls and crawlspaces. These ratings will also depend on the part of the country that you live in. Adding insulation to your attic is one of the quickest ways to begin saving energy in a home and it is the easiest place to add it.

The diagram below shows where you will want to have insulation in your home and is made available by Energy Star. The orange areas indicate where insulation should be placed.

Don’t Waste Money on Your Laundry

Many people probably don’t think too much about energy while they do their laundry, but these appliances can suck up a lot of energy as well. Most dryers are going to use similar amounts of energy, but there are ways that you can help to reduce the amount of energy they use.

·  If your dryer has a moisture sensor, use it. This will automatically shut off your dryer when the clothes are dry.

·  If your clothes washer has a spin cycle, choose high speed spin or extended spin. This will reduce how much moisture your dryer will have to take out of your laundry.

·  Air dry clothes whenever possible and this will often help to prolong the life of your clothing, especially sweaters that may be prone to shrink in a hot dryer.

At the same time it’s a good idea to use a washer that uses less water. Not only are you helping to save water for the environment, but it can save you up to $110 per year on your utility bills. Energy saving washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load. Older machines may use 40 gallons.

Don’t Forget the Dishes

By using a water saving dishwasher, you may be able to save $30 per year. When doing the dishes you should be sure that you use the energy saving features that your machine comes with. Always run a full load of dishes to get the most use out of the heated water and avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features. Use the air-dry option to dry the dishes.

When washing dishes by hand, don’t run the water at all times. Turn the water on and off as you need to help preserve water and to keep from wasting it. Hand-washing and air-drying dishes are also excellent water conservation practices.

Refrigerators and Freezers

In the majority of households, the refrigerator is the single most energy user. According to Energy Star, if you were to replace a refrigerator that was bought in 1990 with an energy saving unit, you would save enough energy to light your home for 4 months!

That’s a lot of energy that old frig is using if you stop to think about it. The older the refrigerator the more energy it uses and the more money it is costing you. There are a few steps you can take to make your current refrigerator or freezer a little more energy friendly including:

·  Keep the unit away from heat sources such as ovens, dishwashers and direct sunlight.
·  Allow air to circulate around the unit, especially the condenser coils.
·  Make sure the door seals properly.
·  Keep the temperature between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
·  Set freezers to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
·  Don’t stand with the door wide open for long periods of time.
·  Recycle older units.

Lighting

Who knew that saving energy could be as simple as using light bulbs that are designed to save energy? By using light bulbs that are designed to be energy saving you are able to use about 75% less energy for each bulb. This also means that they do not get as hot and they last 10 times longer.

Switching to energy saving light bulbs can be done one step at a time. As your old bulbs burn out in your most frequently used lamps or light fixtures, replace them with energy saving bulbs. You will save the most money by switching your five highest used fixtures to energy efficient light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs are the best to switch to and offer the most savings in terms of energy and money. They are excellent for use in:

·  Kitchens
·  Living Rooms
·  Family Rooms
·  Bedrooms
·  Dining Rooms
·  Outdoor light fixtures

When you don’t need the lights, don’t turn them on. If you can do your daily activities by sunlight coming through the windows then you are also saving some cash out of your wallet as well.

The Tube

Televisions use a lot of energy as well and they use just about as much energy as your refrigerator. Energy Star estimates that if half of the households in the US switched to an energy efficient model, there would be no need for one whole power plant. That’s a lot of energy saving right there. You also don’t have to give up style to save energy as these models are available in all of the newest television styles and designs fro the HDTV to the Plasma Flat-Screen.

The Water Heater

The water heater is your third largest expense in your home when it comes to energy. According to the US Department of Energy, the water heater typically accounts for about 13% of your water heating bill. To save on your water heater, use the following tips:

·  Install low flow faucets and showerheads
·  Repair leaky faucets
·  Lower the thermostat on the water heater.
·  Take more showers than baths.
·  Insulate the water heater tank.
·  Insulate the first 6 feet of hot and cold water.
·  Drain a quart of water from your tank every 3 months to remove sediment from the tank.
·  Replace your water heater if it is 10-15 years old.

Average Hot Water Use in a Household

Activity Gallons Per Use

Clothes Washing 32

Showering 20

Bathing 20

Dishwashers 12

Preparing Food 5

Hand dishwashing 4