Set the thermostat
The most economical operation of your system comes from a proper setting on your thermostat.  Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 76 degrees for summer cooling and 72 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered. When heating, your operating costs increase for each degree your thermostat is raised.

Programmable thermostat
A great way to improve efficiency and save energy is with a 5 or 7 day digital programmable thermostat.  This allows you to schedule raising or lowering your thermostat settings when you are not home.  If your family is out of the house Monday through Friday during the day for school and work, the thermostat can be programmed to raise the temperature in the summer or drop the temperature in the winter to uncomfortable levels while you are gone minimizing the operations of your system saving on energy consumption.  This same thermostat can be programmed to bring the temperature back to your comfort setting a half-hour prior to your family arriving back home for normal occupancy and use.  The thermostat has an override feature for Holidays or sick days when someone is home unexpectedly preventing constant reprogramming.

 

Keep the air filter clean
An easy way to improve on your system operates efficiently and economically is by keeping the air filters clean. This very simple and easy to complete task is one of the most frequently ignored.  Through our maintenance program, we can provide monthly, quarterly or bi-annual filter changes as needed for your maximum efficiency.

 

Keep doors and windows closed
We get more comments and funny looks on this quick tip than any other.  You would not believe the number of times we have driven up to a home with a "NO" heating or cooling complaint to find the system operating properly, but the windows or doors are open in another part of the home preventing the system to reach a comfort level for the homeowner.  Close all doors and windows to the outside. This will reduce the heating load in winter and the cooling load in summer. Your system will operate more economically as a result and you comfort level can be reached.

Keep vents and grilles unobstructed
Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grilles are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating load on your system for more economical operation.  Especially your return grilles.  The air flow that feeds through the furnace start the heating or cooling process is pulled into the blower unit from the house through the return grille.  A blocked return grille can starve the blower unit of proper air flow causing it to work inefficiently and causing unneeded repairs from wear and tear.
 

Avoid excessive use of exhaust fans

Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.
 

Control direct sunlight

Let the sun in during winter. Keep the sun out during summer. In summer, direct sunlight increases the load on your cooling system. Use of window shades and awnings will reduce the amount of direct sunlight and lower the cooling load. In winter, direct sunlight reduces the load on your heating system. Open window shades and awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.

Keep the condenser coil clean

The condenser coil (the unit outside your house) should be kept clean to ensure efficient operation. If the condenser coil becomes restricted by dirt, lint, paper, grass clippings, leaves, or other debris, system efficiency will deteriorate. Use a garden hose to keep the condenser coil clean.

Insulate air ducts
Ducts that pass through spaces in your home that have not been tempered such as crawlspaces, attics or basements can experience temperature changes more rapidly when not insulated.  Be sure these air ducts are well insulated to maximize efficiency.

 

Keep an air-tight house

Ensure maximum retention of heated or cooled air by adding insulation to outside walls and to the attic. Seal cracks and use storm doors and/or insulated doors to prevent air leaks.  This step can create other Indoor Air Quality issues if your heating and cooling system is not properly sized or operational from sealing up the house and minimizing fresh air.  Humidity problems can occur.  Trapped air can become polluted as it is continually cycled through the heating and cooling system over and over.  A filtering or air treatment system maybe required for an air tight house.
 

Properly vent clothes dryers

Be sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside. Also ensure that your clothes dryer is vented away from your outdoor unit.

Keep heat away from the thermostat

Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat. These include lamps, TVs, stereo and computer equipment.