According to the EPA, using a programmable thermostat can save homeowners and residents 5% - 15% a year on your heating and cooling bill. They recommend setting your thermostat at 68°F when you are awake and at home, and programming a 10° to 15° setback for at least 8 hours. The same strategy would apply for cooling your home in the summer, by keeping the thermostat at 78° when you are home and awake, and using a warmer setting while at work or asleep.
Sounds easy, right? In a series of surveys done by researchers at University of California, it was discovered that 90% of programmable thermostats are rarely or never programmed. Photographs of participants’ thermostats that were collected revealed that 50% of the respondents had set their thermostats on “long term hold” and 20% of the units displayed the wrong time. Since many programmable thermostats don’t seem to be user-friendly, even homeowners who have the opportunity to save on energy bills are not using technology to their advantage.
Startup company Nest Labs wants to change that with their newly unveiled Nest thermostat, which can actually program itself. Users can adjust the thermostat manually as they normally do, and within one week the Nest unit will learn the patterns and program itself to raise and lower temperatures automatically. It can even recognize that the house is empty during vacation times and go into energy saving mode. Of course, the Nest can be programmed by the user as well, and if you practice good energy saving habits, Nest will pick up on them.
This year may be the time to take energy savings seriously and get a little help from a smart thermostat.
Showing posts with label air conditioning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label air conditioning. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
When to Consider Upgrading your HVAC
When having your fall HVAC maintenance check, you may be faced with big questions as to whether or not to replace your system. Here are some guidelines from www.energystar.gov on when it’s time to consider replacing your system
If your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you could benefit from up to 20% savings in your energy costs if you choose an energy efficient new system. If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, replacing it with Energy Star rated models can result in 5-15% more energy efficiency. If you find that your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are rising, your system may simply be losing efficiency.
If you notice things in your home such as certain rooms that are too warm or cold, excessive dust, humidity issues or noisy equipment, your HVAC system may be to blame. If your equipment isn’t operating properly, you may experience some of these problems. Other causes could be dirty, leaky or insufficient ductwork or inadequate insulation.
If no one is home for a good part of the day and you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider having one installed. It’s an easy way to save money while you are at work. If you replace your old HVAC equipment with Energy Star rated products before the end of 2011, you could be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $500, as well as substantial savings on your future energy bills.
If your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you could benefit from up to 20% savings in your energy costs if you choose an energy efficient new system. If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, replacing it with Energy Star rated models can result in 5-15% more energy efficiency. If you find that your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are rising, your system may simply be losing efficiency.
If you notice things in your home such as certain rooms that are too warm or cold, excessive dust, humidity issues or noisy equipment, your HVAC system may be to blame. If your equipment isn’t operating properly, you may experience some of these problems. Other causes could be dirty, leaky or insufficient ductwork or inadequate insulation.
If no one is home for a good part of the day and you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider having one installed. It’s an easy way to save money while you are at work. If you replace your old HVAC equipment with Energy Star rated products before the end of 2011, you could be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $500, as well as substantial savings on your future energy bills.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips
Believe it or not, the weather will cool down before you know it and you’ll want your heating system to be working properly. Regularly scheduled maintenance by a professional is essential for keeping your system in top operating condition. Check out Energy Star’s maintenance checklist to see what your technician should be servicing.
Filters should be checked monthly, especially in times of high usage. Dirty filters can result in your system running inefficiently and raising your energy costs. Dirt and dust trapped in your system can also lead to expensive repairs if allowed to build up over time. Use the best quality filters for the best results.
Check your ductwork for cracks or loose seams where your heated air can escape. Seal all seams and connections with metal-backed or duct sealant (mastic) tape. You can then wrap ductwork with insulation to keep your ducts leak-free. Speaking of insulation, having the proper wall and ceiling insulation in your home can result in energy savings in both summer and winter. Both the U.S. Department of Energy and APS provide guidelines for proper insulation in specific geographic regions.
Check your condenser as well. First remove any grass, weeds or vines that may have grown up around your condenser, obstructing air flow. Also remove any leaves or other debris. Using a dry, soft brush, clean the exterior of the condenser to remove accumulated dirt. If you are reaching the fins, use care when brushing away dirt. Fins are lightweight and easily damaged. Don’t use your hose, as the dirt can turn to mud packed between the fins.
The concrete pad on which your condenser rests should be level. You can check this by setting a carpenter’s level front to back and side to side on top of the condenser. If you need to level your pad, you can pry it up slightly and fill underneath with a little gravel. These easy, common-sense measures will keep your home and your wallet comfortable this fall.
Filters should be checked monthly, especially in times of high usage. Dirty filters can result in your system running inefficiently and raising your energy costs. Dirt and dust trapped in your system can also lead to expensive repairs if allowed to build up over time. Use the best quality filters for the best results.
Check your ductwork for cracks or loose seams where your heated air can escape. Seal all seams and connections with metal-backed or duct sealant (mastic) tape. You can then wrap ductwork with insulation to keep your ducts leak-free. Speaking of insulation, having the proper wall and ceiling insulation in your home can result in energy savings in both summer and winter. Both the U.S. Department of Energy and APS provide guidelines for proper insulation in specific geographic regions.
Check your condenser as well. First remove any grass, weeds or vines that may have grown up around your condenser, obstructing air flow. Also remove any leaves or other debris. Using a dry, soft brush, clean the exterior of the condenser to remove accumulated dirt. If you are reaching the fins, use care when brushing away dirt. Fins are lightweight and easily damaged. Don’t use your hose, as the dirt can turn to mud packed between the fins.
The concrete pad on which your condenser rests should be level. You can check this by setting a carpenter’s level front to back and side to side on top of the condenser. If you need to level your pad, you can pry it up slightly and fill underneath with a little gravel. These easy, common-sense measures will keep your home and your wallet comfortable this fall.
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