SEASONAL TIPS

Tips for Summer Comfort

Summer can be tough on your system, which is why it’s important to start the season off right.

“Air conditioning performance is a direct result of how well you take care of the unit during the peak summer months,” said Paul Trotter, brand manager for American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. “With the proper upkeep, you can expect your air conditioner to last for 10 years or more—and consistently perform at its peak throughout its life.”

“One of the most important ways a homeowner can actively contribute to extending the life of his or her air conditioner is to have a yearly inspection prior to each cooling season. This will guarantee that the unit is prepared to work properly and at maximum efficiency.”

Get the most out of your air conditioner:

• Before summer begins, have your home’s air conditioning system cleaned and checked by a reputable dealer.
• Invest in a good quality whole-house air filtration system designed to capture a high percentage of airborne dirt and debris to protect your equipment investment. Clean or replace the filter every 30 days or per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Add insulation to your attic and weatherproof your house by covering all exposed windows and by weather-stripping all doors and windows.
• Keep programmable thermostats at 78 degrees (F) or higher when not at home (for each degree you raise the thermostat above 78 degrees, you save up to five percent on cooling costs). If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider purchasing one. It’s worth the investment.
• Dust or vacuum the vents in your home often to ensure the free flow of cool air.
• Make sure your attic has adequate ventilation.
• Make sure the registers (vents) in your home are open and not obstructed by furniture.
• Close your drapes or blinds, especially when you’re not home, to keep your home cooler and save energy.
• If you have a whole-house humidifier, make sure the damper is in the “Summer” position.

Routinely replacing or cleaning the filters will help your air conditioner operate smoothly. Clogged or dirty filters block normal airflow and can reduce a system’s efficiency over time. In addition, take a walk around your yard. If trees or other plants shade your home, make sure that leaves and sticks are regularly cleared away from your air conditioner.

Winter Tips That Will Keep You Warm

For most regions of the country, fall means forgetting about heating and air conditioning for a while. Crisp mornings and moderate temperatures during the day create a comfortable existence with lower-than-average energy usage. Right around the corner, however, is the first frost of winter and the promise of higher energy bills. Is there anything you can do now to impact your energy usage? “Absolutely,” says Paul Trotter, brand manager for American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. “The transition period between the beginning of fall and the first days of cold weather is the perfect time to evaluate your home’s energy efficiency and weather resiliency, and service your heating system. All of these things, along with following a few other simple recommendations, can impact your energy usage.”

Making your home as energy-efficient as possible during Winter

• Install storm or thermal windows and doors.
• Caulk and weather strip all windows and doors.
• Ensure your fireplace has a tight-fitting damper.
• Tape and seal leaks in your duct system and coil enclosure. Consider adding insulation to your duct system.
• For extremely cold climates, wrap your water heater with an insulated water heater blanket.
• Seal gaps between heated and unheated spaces. This may be around pipes, ducts, fans or vents.
• Consider installing ceiling fans with reversible motors. In the winter, fans push warm air that collects at ceiling level back down into the room.
• Ensure your fireplace has a tight-fitting flue damper.
• Make sure the registers (vents) in your home are open and not obstructed by furniture.
• Set your thermostat to “Continuous Fan” to continuously circulate the air in your home and make the temperature more even.
• Make sure your home has carbon monoxide and fire detectors. Change the batteries once per year in the fall to protect your family.

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat,
consider purchasing one; programmable thermostats are a great way to control the temperature in your home for maximum energy efficiency. Install adequate insulation. Recommended: R-30 in ceilings, R-13 in exterior walls and R-11 in interior walls and floors.

If you’re in the market for a new home comfort system, select a high-efficiency, variable-speed heating and air conditioning system. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating, or AFUE, indicates the efficiency of a gas furnace. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace.

If your present furnace is ten years old or older, it’s probably in the 60 to 70 percent AFUE range. That means you’re wasting about 30 to 40 cents out of every dollar you spend for heat. By replacing your old furnace with a new, high-efficiency model with an AFUE of 80 or 90 percent, more of the fuel you pay for is turned into heat.

We also recommend having your heating system serviced prior to the heating season by the dealer who installed it.

Energy Efficiency in the Heating Season

• Close shutters and drapes during winter nights.
• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the day.
• When using your fireplace, turn your thermostat down.
• Keep the damper closed when your fireplace is not being used.
• Dust or vacuum the vents in your home to ensure the free flow of warm air.
• Clean or replace the filter in your furnace at least once every 30 days during peak winter usage.
• Keep programmable thermostats at 68 degrees (F) or lower during the day. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider purchasing one. It’s an investment that will pay for itself.