Heating and Cooling
Both heating and cooling can have a big impact on your comfort—and your budget. Discover how to make them work better in your home.
- Keep doors and windows closed while running your heating or air conditioning system to reduce air loss.
- Clear areas in front of vents from furniture; blocked vents require up to 25 percent more energy to distribute air.
- In the summer, vegetation, solar screens, and awnings can be used to prevent the sun from making your home too hot. In the winter, do the opposite: Raise shades and blinds to let the sun warm your home.
- Calibrate your thermostats to ensure accurate readings. Adjust your thermostat up or down depending on the season, and lower the setting any time your home is unoccupied.
- Use programmable thermostats to adjust heating and cooling when rooms are unoccupied, saving you energy and up to $180 a year.
- Upgrade outdated heating and air conditioning equipment to newer, more energy-efficient models. You’ll save as much as 30 percent on energy costs in the long term, reduce maintenance, and improve the comfort of your home.
- Perform regular heating and air conditioning maintenance. Change filters monthly to improve air quality and reduce energy use. Establish a maintenance contract with your vendor for regular tune-ups, which help decrease equipment breakdowns and unnecessary air loss.