Efficient Ways To Heat And Cool Your Home

As much as half of your energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling your home. With energy prices rising, making smart decisions about your home’s heating and air conditioning system can have a big impact on your bill.

Here are some tips you can do now, to increase efficiency of your home.

Ceiling fans

Ceiling fans are a great way to keep your home cool in the summer while keeping it warm in the winter.

SUMMER: Run the fan counterclockwise on medium to high speed only when the room is occupied.

When a ceiling fan rotates counterclockwise, the slant of the blades pushes air down, causing a noticeable breeze. The faster the fan spins, the cooler you feel.

This cooling effect doesn’t change the temperature of the air, it only makes you feel cooler.

WINTER: Since hot air rises, turn the ceiling fan on low and clockwise during the winter, this will circulate the hot air trapped near the ceiling. Turning the fan on low pushes the air up and outward, causes the warm air to circulated down. You can set the thermostat lower, saving money.

Keeping the fan on when no one is present in the room is fine.

 

Programmable Thermostat

Having a programmable thermostat can save you up to 15% on your energy bill. Set the controls to turn on when you’re home and down when you’re not.

The recommended setting for your thermostat in the summer is 78 degrees F and in the winter is 68 degrees F.

For every degree below 78 degrees you set your air conditioner, your energy cost may increase 9%.

 

Clean and Replace A/C Filters

Change your filter at a minimum, every 3 month according Energy Star, especially during heavy use months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder.

Keep area around the outside air conditioner unit clean, free from high grass, leaves, trash and debris

 

Weatherization

Caulking around the windows and doors are an excellent way to reduce heating and cooling cost. As much as 15% of your heating and cooling cost could literally be going out the door.

According to Wikipedia

Typical weatherization procedures include:

• Seal cracks, gaps, holes, around doors, windows, pipes and wiring that penetrate the ceiling and floor, and other areas with high potential for heat loss, using caulk, foam sealant, weather-stripping, window film, door sweeps, electrical receptacle gaskets, and so on to reduce infiltration.
• Check and seal recessed lighting fixtures
• Seal air ducts, which can account for 20% of heat loss
• Install/replacing dampers in exhaust ducts, to prevent outside air from entering the house when the exhaust fan or clothes dryer is not in use.
• Protect pipes from corrosion and freezing.
• Install footing drains, foundation waterproofing membranes, interior perimeter drains, sump pump, gutters, downspout extensions, downward-sloping grading, French drains, swales, and other techniques to protect a building from both surface water and ground water.
• Installing roofing, building wrap, siding, flashing, skylights or solar tubes and making sure they are in good condition on an existing building.
• Install insulation in walls, floors, and ceilings, around ducts and pipes, around water heaters, and near the foundation and sill.
• Install storm doors and storm windows.
• Replace old drafty doors with tightly sealing, foam-core doors.
• Retrofit older windows with a stop or parting bead across the sill where it meets the sash.
• Replace older windows with low-energy, double-glazed windows.

Landscaping

Planting a tree near your home can help cool the home. Placement of the tree is key.

According to treehugger.com

 

• Trees planted within 40 feet of the south side or within 60 feet of the west side of the house will generate about the same amount of energy savings. This is because of the way shadows fall at different times of the day.
• Tree cover on the east side of a house has no effect on electricity use.
• A tree planted on the west side of a house can reduce net carbon emissions from summertime electricity use by 30 percent over a 100-year period.

 

Energy Efficient Curtains

Energy efficient curtains can block heat from entering and exiting your windows.

If you want to prevent both heat gain and loss, choose curtains that are lined with a mid-weight or heavy weight spongy material.

Hang the curtain as close to the windows as possible, in the summer close the curtains on windows receiving direct sunlight. In the winter some curtain can remain open during the day to let in the sunlight to warm up your home.

Curtains are a great option for homeowners who don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on new windows.

 

If you live in the Honolulu area and need someone to help make your home more efficient, see our services and contact us.