Being an energy-smart consumer means getting the
most from the energy you use.
Shade your room air conditioner from direct sun.
This will reduce its workload. Clean the filters monthly and replace
as necessary to save energy and reduce dust and pollen in the air. Lower
the setting when you go out to reduce operating costs.
Vacuum air vents, baseboard heaters and radiators
regularly to remove dust that reduces heating efficiency. Move furniture,
carpet or curtains that restrict their operation. If your baseboard
heaters have movable deflectors or vents, open them in the winter and
close them in the summer.
Schedule annual tune-ups for your heat pump, furnace
or boiler. Check to see if your utility company provides this service.
Hire a professional to seal and insulate leaky
ducts, and to ensure that the airflow distribution system serving your
heating or cooling equipment is operating at peak efficiency.
Check your attic, attic stairway, attached garage
walls and basement to ensure that you have proper insulation between
conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
Open your foundation vents each spring if your
home has a crawl space under it. Close the vents in the winter.
Prune back shrubs that may block airflow to your
air conditioner or heat pump.
Consider installing ceiling fans. The air circulation
promotes cooling in the summer and heating efficiency in the winter.
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can
take to keep your heating and cooling equipment running at peak
performance is proper maintenance.