Saving Energy on your Heating and Air Conditioning System

There are several free and inexpensive ways homeowners can get maximum energy efficiency from their furnace and central air conditioner.

• Pay careful attention to the thermostat; a change of a few degrees can add up.
• Regularly check filters. Clean or replace them monthly.
• Don’t heat or cool an empty house. The most energy efficient central air conditioners and furnaces have programmable thermostats. Set the timers to turn on a half an hour before someone will be at home.
• Make sure your home has the appropriate amount of insulation in walls, attics and crawl spaces.
• When replacing an air conditioner, look for an energy efficient central air conditioner that that has a 12 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) or higher.
• When looking for an energy efficient furnace, look for one with an HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) of 7.2 HSPF or higher.

Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner with a High-Efficiency Model

Any homeowner who wants lower power bills should consider installing an energy efficient air conditioner in their house.  While more expensive, these units end up saving a great deal more money in the long run.  They require a lot less power, and they produce much more output.  Within a matter of a few months, even the most expensive energy efficient air conditioner can potentially pay for itself.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of competitors.  When looking for an air conditioner replacement, most homeowners are overwhelmed by the sheer variety of options.  But whichever one they end up choosing, invariably they have lower power bills, and thus, more money for other things.  Not to mention that energy efficient air conditioners are better for the environment. 

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