Year-Round Energy Efficiency with These 10 Tips

Just because the seasons change doesn’t mean that your home has to sacrifice its energy efficiency. By following these 10 simple tips you will ensure that you minimize your energy expenditures throughout the year.

1. Check your insulation levels. Inspect blown insulation in attic and crawl spaces annually to see that it hasn’t shifted or become compressed. If it has, you will need to add more so that it doesn’t reduce the thermal resistance (R-value) of the insulation.
2. Seal any air leaks. Inspect windows, doors, brick work, mortar joints, and vent openings to make sure that they have not developed cracks. If cracks or leaks have developed, apply weatherstripping, caulking or spray foam to seal them.
3. Install ceiling fans. These can be used to enhance cooling in the summer, and reversed to provide better warm air distribution in the winter.
4. Program your thermostat. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easier to regulate your home temperatures to fit your daily and weekly schedule, with energy efficiency in mind.
5. Replace your air filters. Clean filters on heaters and air conditioners allow these units to function at optimum performance levels, both in terms of cleaning your indoor air and keeping your HVAC equipment operating smoothly.
6. Service your HVAC systems annually. As with clean air filters, regular maintenance will find minor problems before they require major repairs.
7. Install thermo-pane windows. These can increase energy efficiency considerably throughout the year.
8. Use the sun to your advantage. On cold days, opening shades or curtains on sun-facing windows allows solar energy to collect in your home, allowing you to turn the thermostat down. Close them when the sun goes down to provide an extra layer of insulation.
9. Look for the Energy Star label. These labels placed on various appliances and products, ranging from televisions to microwave ovens to air conditioners to windows, will tell you that they rate high when it comes to energy efficiency.
10. Check your appliance size. Make sure that your furnace, A/C, water heater, oven and refrigerator are adequate, but not exorbitant for your home and your family’s needs.

To learn more about ways you can conserve energy in your home, please contact us at NisAir Air Conditioning and Heating. We have provided energy-saving services to customers in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Palm Beach counties since 1973.