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Reduce your cooling costs this summer27 June 2007 — Did you know that your Heating Air Conditioning and Ventilation (HVAC) system accounts for a significant portion of the energy use in your home? On average, 56% of our utility bills go for heating and cooling, so it is important that we examine our HVAC system to ensure that we are getting maximum efficiency from our unit. Dirt and neglect are the number one causes of heating and cooling system failure and a contributor to high energy bills. You can keep your heating and cooling system at peak performance by performing routine maintenance on your unit. It is also important to have your unit inspected and maintained by a licensed HVAC technician. An HVAC service contract allows you to prevent any unforeseen problems and unwanted costs while keeping your heating and cooling system at maximum energy efficiency. Service should be performed twice a year. HVAC technicians become extremely busy during the summer and winter months so it is best to schedule the maintenance of your system in the spring and in the fall. One way to remember to schedule an appointment is to call your HVAC technician when the time changes to and from day light savings time. Here are the things you can expect during a general service checkup. • During the inspection, the technician will tighten and inspect all electrical connections, and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause your unit to be unsafe and will reduce the lifetime of the unit. • The technician will inspect the motor and inspect the belts for wear and tear and lubricate if necessary. Parts that are not properly lubricated or are worn will cause your unit to use more electricity. • In the cooling season, your technician will check and inspect the condensate drain. A clogged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels. • Also in the cooling season, the HVAC technician will check the system’s refrigerant level and adjust it if necessary. Having too much or too little refrigerant can cause your system to be less efficient, thus increasing the cost of your utility bill and reducing the life of the unit. • During the cooling season the HVAC technician will clean the evaporator and condenser coils. Dirty coils reduce the life of the equipment as well as reduce the ability of the system to cool the house. While performing maintenance on your system, the HVAC technician can observe flaws in your system and make recommendations to help your unit perform to its maximum efficiency. He may recommend that your ducts be sealed if leaks are found. During a service call or performance of the maintenance contract, your HVAC technician may also recommend replacing your older unit with a more efficient one. Older units are less efficient and cost more to run than today’s newer energy efficient units. Replacing an existing unit can save up to 50% on your heating and cooling bills. When looking for a new model, look for the Energy Star label. This label identifies that the unit meets energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy. Keeping the power bill low There are also ways that you can help lower your cooling bill by simply changing family behaviors. Reducing your energy demands this summer is easy, and many times free: • In the summer, set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, or your highest comfortable setting. For each degree you raise your thermostat, you can reduce your cooling costs by as much as 3-5 percent. • Use ceiling fans and other cooling fans to circulate air. Remember to turn fans off when no one is in the room. Adjust the home’s thermostat higher to take into account the cooling effect of the fans. • Educate family members about energy conservation – keep doors and windows closed while the air conditioner is on. • Cook during temperate hours. On hot days, try not to prepare meals that require extensive use of the range or oven. • Clean or replace HVAC unit filters every month. • Keep air registers clean and opened in all rooms. • Keep furniture away from the registers and air returns of your home. • Use kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans wisely – use them for short periods to draw moisture and odor out of your home. Running them for extended periods can allow cool air to escape outside. Reducing your energy usage in the summer benefits you, the consumer, and the larger community. Keeping your cooling bill under control means greater savings, and reducing your energy needs translates into cleaner air for everyone. Do you want to learn more about how you can save money from your energy bill? On Wednesday, July 18 from 1-4 p.m. and Tuesday, July 24 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon, “No Cost Low Cost Saving Tips,” a workshop on how to save energy in the home, will be offered by the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service. Both workshops will be held at the Johnston County Agriculture Center at 2736 NC 210 Highway, Smithfield. To register for the one that best fits your schedule, call 919-989-5380. For more information about energy conservation, please call Jayne Cubilla, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Service. Back to this week's News Leader
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*Prices updated at 10:00 a.m. Wayne Wilson News Leader
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