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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

WRITTEN BY T.E. CUNNINGHAM

High electric and gas bills are never a welcome sight, but there are many things homeowners can do to save money. Regardless of the season, your home will benefit from installing a programmable thermostat. Once installed, set your heat as low as you can comfortably bear it. You can program the thermostat to increase or decrease temperature settings when you’re out for long periods. You may be able to adjust the temperature a few more degrees while sleeping as well. Most experts agree that over time, these steps can save you at least 10 percent. “During the winter, programmable thermostats save energy dollars for homeowners. However, during bitter, frigid temperatures you should be cautious of setting temperatures back too much so you avoid frozen pipes and other adverse effects,” advises Richard Blachly, owner of Ideal Air Heating and Cooling, which serves Johnson County. He adds, “Homeowners can also save energy in the summertime, but we recommend you adjust in small increments—not more than a three-degree offset of your regular setting. By having the house too warm it introduces more humidity, causing the house to take more time to cool down.”

SOME OTHER TIPS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

• A smart thermostat gives you the ability to control temperatures from your smartphone and alerts you to any problems. For example, one of Blachly’s customers called him while traveling in Ohio when his smartphone alerted him it was only 45 degrees in his house.

With the help of a neighbor allowing the HVAC company entry, the problem was remedied before the homeowner returned and any pipes froze. • Further insulate your home and prevent drafts. Contact an insulation company to determine what insulation options are available.

Drafts can kill your energy bill, so check all windows and doors for

cracks. Weatherstrip the doors and caulk the windows.

Make sure none of your glass panes are cracked as well.

This can be problematic in all seasons. • Consider insulated and reflective shades. Close curtains and blinds in the summer to keep the sun and heat out; conversely, in the winter months open these if you have well-insulated windows. • Use a ceiling fan or other circulating fan. This can make you feel six or seven degrees cooler. If you also use an air conditioner, a ceiling fan helps disperse cooled air more efficiently and allows you to raise the thermostat by as much as four degrees without discomfort. • Don’t run appliances like the oven or dishwasher during the day in hot months. In the winter months, allow hot air from these appliances to heat rooms after they have been utilized but are still putting out heat. • Another tip for all seasons: don’t forget to change your filters on your HVAC. Dirty filters block airflow and make units work harder to heat or cool your home. Also, regularly clean all vents and registers and make sure they are not blocked by furniture. • “We advise against the super high-efficiency hypoallergenic filters because those can restrict airflow to the system, causing problems for both heating and cooling,” says Blachly. “A standard pleated filter will last about 60-90 days, so change it every 2-3 months.”

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