Maintenance
Many people wait until something is wrong before they feel that they can justify the cost of service and repairs. Problem is, by neglecting to have your furnace and air conditioner serviced regularly, you will pay more in the long run; more in energy bills, more in preventative repairs, and face replacements sooner from reduced equipment life. And, you will most likely experience equipment failure in the middle of the summer or winter, times of heavy use when you need your systems the most.
Many people wait until something is wrong before they feel that they can justify the cost of service and repairs. Problem is, by neglecting to have your furnace and air conditioner serviced regularly, you will pay more in the long run; more in energy bills, more in preventative repairs, and face replacements sooner from reduced equipment life. And, you will most likely experience equipment failure in the middle of the summer or winter, times of heavy use when you need your systems the most.
Regular maintenance will catch small issues before they
become large issues and prevent total system failure. Also, when your equipment
is serviced annually and running at an optimal level you will have much lower
utility bills. This is good for the environment and your pocketbook.
Upgrade old, inefficient appliances
Dishwashers, clothes washers, ovens, refrigerators, water
heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and other major appliances can
all run up energy costs quickly if they are not energy efficient or not running
at peak performance. It is important to have your major appliances inspected
regularly. If you are considering a renovation or upgrade, explore your
options.
Fix refrigerant leaks
Refrigerant is expensive. The longer you put off fixing the
leak, the more that’s evaporating (not to mention the harm to the environment).
Not only that, if moisture enters and reacts with the
refrigerant, vital components like the compressor can be damaged and you may
end up replacing your entire unit. Even if a total replacement is not required,
the efficiency of your unit can be greatly compromised.
Seal air infiltration of your home
If your home is not sealed to today’s standards you could be
spending 30% or more on your energy bill than necessary. Infiltration refers to
airflow through gaps or cracks around windows, or in walls or flooring. Using
caulk or other means to fill in the holes you can access will help to seal the
building envelop so that less energy will be needed to maintain the temperature
in your home. Having a home energy audit conducted will also give you more
information about the most cost effective changes you can make to reduce costs.
Seal ducts located outside of the building envelope.
If you have ducts that run through your garage, attic,
basement, or crawlspaces they may be susceptible to extreme temperature
deviations from the portion of the home where the temperature is regulated.
Sealing and insulating these ducts will result in a reduction of energy
consumption.
Ceiling fans
A ceiling fan can increase evaporation of perspiration from
an individual and create the sensation of a cooler environment. Ceiling fans
also cost much less to operate than your comfort system. This allows you to set
the thermostat higher and still enjoy a comfortable environment. Be sure to
turn the fan off when you leave the room.
Motion detector light switches
Are you tired of kids leaving the lights on and wasting
money? Install motion activated light switches to automatically turn off lights
and conserve energy. They are especially useful in rooms that have ceiling
fans, as ceiling fans are only effective if there is someone present in the
room to benefit from the air movement.
CFLs
Most people don’t pay a lot of attention to what kind of
light bulbs they have in their home, as long they provide adequate lighting.
What many don’t realize is that they are wasting money using conventional
incandescent light bulbs. The light bulb with the spiral top is called a CLF
or Compact Fluorescent Light bulb. The average life of a CFL is approximately
6-10 times that of an incandescent light bulb. Although CFLs are more expensive
than compact fluorescent bulbs, they use less energy, providing a yearly
savings of $40-60 or more.
Outlet insulators
It may be hard to believe, but if your outlet covers are not
properly insulated, air could be entering your home around them. Use outlet
insulators to help seal the space behind the outlet and lower your energy bills.
Low flow showerheads
Consumers worry that switching to a low flow showerhead will
decrease their comfort in the shower. In reality, most people using a low
flow shower head can’t tell the difference between it and a regular showerhead.
Don’t do everything at once. Pick a few projects to tackle
each year. By making just a few of these changes, you could be saving a great
deal of money on utility payments. We can help you to prioritize. Elite
Service Company is always ready to help with all of your heating and
cooling needs. Call Elite to see how we can help you improve your
environmental footprint! 918.610.7300
© Service Roundtable
© Service Roundtable
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