Replacing your old heating and cooling system with a modern energy efficient furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump is a great way to reduce your heating and cooling costs, but if you are not yet ready to spend that much on a new system, there are many lower cost improvements that can help you reduce your energy usage while you save up for that new furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. Most of these improvements will carry over to the new system when you have it installed in a few years.
Installing a programmable thermostat that lowers the temperature setting in the winter and raises it in the summer when your family is not at home or is asleep can provide big savings. Having your ducts sealed can also lower your energy bills. The EPA estimates that about 20% of the heated or cooled air flowing through ducts is lost due to leakage.
Ceiling fans are also a great way to reduce your energy costs. In the summer, the fan is set to blow air downward. The light breeze makes temperatures seem cooler so you can keep the temperature a few degrees warmer. In the winter, the fan direction is reversed to move warm air from the ceiling down to the living space an keeping the room warmer.
Weather stripping and stopping air leaks from around doors, windows, vents, wires, air conditioner drain pipes, and other openings can reduce loss of conditioned air and eliminate drafts.
Finally, having your system serviced regularly and changing your air filters every month or two will help you system operate at its peak efficiency and reduce breakdowns.
