Conserving Energy (and Money)
In this very tight economy, saving money in the operation of your home is one way to help.
This is the first in a series of articles on how to save money in the operation of your home.
The energy cost of heating/cooling, hot water and lighting can be a significant factor in your budget.
Every dollar that is spent on this is one less dollar available for other budget items like mortgage, rent, food and vehicle expenses. Let's discuss a few ways to recover a few of those dollars.
Let's start with your home heating system.
Heating a building is one of the major expenses for many people in the colder parts of the country. Be it heating oil, electricity or natural/propane gas, it is a resource that needs to be conserved. Even if you are not a "conservationist", being aware of how energy is being used in your home, and more importantly, where it is being wasted can have a big effect on your budget. This can be a huge issue, especially for those on a fixed income. Unfortunately, it can come down to making a choice whether to heat the house or have food to eat. Not a good situation!
During the winter months in the colder climates, this can be a significant portion of your household energy budget. One of the first things that should be done is to make sure that you're following the manufacturers recommendations for maintenance. It is typically recommended to have the system serviced at least two times a year, especially if it is a combination heating and cooling system. This should be done early in the season. Service companies, often run "pre-season" specials that can save you a significant amount of money on the typical service call. If you wait until the heating or cooling season is well underway, you may find yourself on a long waiting list to get that service technician out there. Especially if there is a breakdown. You're not going to be happy sitting in a freezing house waiting for the service technician to come next week, when the system breaks down.
Here are a few of the things that you can do yourself rather than pay the service technician to do them for you. Let them spend their expensive time on the more technical evaluation of the system.
1. Check and replace filters, if your system has them. Filters are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased in lots of six for usually less than $20 at the local big box or hardware store. A dirty or blocked filter will cause your system to overwork, significantly reduce its efficiency, and exacerbate the effects of any leak in the ducting system.
2. Clean the air outlet and air inlet grilles, called registers to assure good airflow. It only takes a few minutes with a vacuum cleaner and a hose.
3. If you can get to it, look at the ducting system. Does it appear to be in good condition. Are all the visible connection points in good condition, with no exposed insulation or missing insulation and raggedy looking duct tape. Leaky ductwork is one of the major energy wasters in a forced air heating system. It is fairly easy to correct the situation and really should be done.
4. Now look at the furnace itself. Is the area around the furnace clean and in good order? Or has it become one of those areas it just seems to collect junk? Proper clearance around the furnace is mandatory for safe operation and service access. Potentially flammable materials stacked around or leaning against the furnace are significant fire hazard.
5. Listen to the furnace, as it operates. Is it making odd noises? Squeaking, vibration, or anything else that just doesn't seem right? These may be signs of an impending failure. Get them addressed.
6. Do you have an "automatic or night setback" type thermostat? Believe it or not, these can be a significant energy saver. They will automatically adjust the thermostat setting on a pre-determined schedule. Typically, if everyone is gone during the day, there is no need to fully heat the house up to a comfortable temperature and it only wastes energy. Lowering the set temperature by only 5° during the day when no one is home and at night after everyone has gone to bed, can save 10% or more on your energy bill. That can be a significant savings.
So, as you see, it is important for you to do your part in maintaining your home heating system. There are things that you can do that are not "technical" in nature and cost next to nothing. Your budget and your family will appreciate it!
Next time: "Where is all that heat going?"
This is the first in a series of articles on how to save money in the operation of your home.
The energy cost of heating/cooling, hot water and lighting can be a significant factor in your budget.
Every dollar that is spent on this is one less dollar available for other budget items like mortgage, rent, food and vehicle expenses. Let's discuss a few ways to recover a few of those dollars.
Let's start with your home heating system.
Heating a building is one of the major expenses for many people in the colder parts of the country. Be it heating oil, electricity or natural/propane gas, it is a resource that needs to be conserved. Even if you are not a "conservationist", being aware of how energy is being used in your home, and more importantly, where it is being wasted can have a big effect on your budget. This can be a huge issue, especially for those on a fixed income. Unfortunately, it can come down to making a choice whether to heat the house or have food to eat. Not a good situation!
During the winter months in the colder climates, this can be a significant portion of your household energy budget. One of the first things that should be done is to make sure that you're following the manufacturers recommendations for maintenance. It is typically recommended to have the system serviced at least two times a year, especially if it is a combination heating and cooling system. This should be done early in the season. Service companies, often run "pre-season" specials that can save you a significant amount of money on the typical service call. If you wait until the heating or cooling season is well underway, you may find yourself on a long waiting list to get that service technician out there. Especially if there is a breakdown. You're not going to be happy sitting in a freezing house waiting for the service technician to come next week, when the system breaks down.
Here are a few of the things that you can do yourself rather than pay the service technician to do them for you. Let them spend their expensive time on the more technical evaluation of the system.
1. Check and replace filters, if your system has them. Filters are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased in lots of six for usually less than $20 at the local big box or hardware store. A dirty or blocked filter will cause your system to overwork, significantly reduce its efficiency, and exacerbate the effects of any leak in the ducting system.
2. Clean the air outlet and air inlet grilles, called registers to assure good airflow. It only takes a few minutes with a vacuum cleaner and a hose.
3. If you can get to it, look at the ducting system. Does it appear to be in good condition. Are all the visible connection points in good condition, with no exposed insulation or missing insulation and raggedy looking duct tape. Leaky ductwork is one of the major energy wasters in a forced air heating system. It is fairly easy to correct the situation and really should be done.
4. Now look at the furnace itself. Is the area around the furnace clean and in good order? Or has it become one of those areas it just seems to collect junk? Proper clearance around the furnace is mandatory for safe operation and service access. Potentially flammable materials stacked around or leaning against the furnace are significant fire hazard.
5. Listen to the furnace, as it operates. Is it making odd noises? Squeaking, vibration, or anything else that just doesn't seem right? These may be signs of an impending failure. Get them addressed.
6. Do you have an "automatic or night setback" type thermostat? Believe it or not, these can be a significant energy saver. They will automatically adjust the thermostat setting on a pre-determined schedule. Typically, if everyone is gone during the day, there is no need to fully heat the house up to a comfortable temperature and it only wastes energy. Lowering the set temperature by only 5° during the day when no one is home and at night after everyone has gone to bed, can save 10% or more on your energy bill. That can be a significant savings.
So, as you see, it is important for you to do your part in maintaining your home heating system. There are things that you can do that are not "technical" in nature and cost next to nothing. Your budget and your family will appreciate it!
Next time: "Where is all that heat going?"
posted by Unknown @ 7:52 AM
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