Money Saving Tips

Cooling Tips:

• Set thermostat at one temperature. Constant adjusting can cause higher utility costs. If using your thermostat as a setback type, limit the setbacks to twice a day such as when you are at work and when you are sleeping. Only setback the thermostat 6% of desired temperature (approximately five degrees). Try not to set the thermostat below 70 degrees. Besides higher utility costs, this can cause the indoor coil to freeze and cause condensation in the house.
• Keep coils clean. If they get dirty you can use a heavy duty degreaser and hose them down. Just turn the unit off first.
• Don't stack things on top of the unit. If the fan is on the top the air-flow cannot be restricted. Do not put your rolled-up garden hose or landscaping products on the unit. We see this all the time.
• When mowing the lawn, direct the mower away from the unit. A coil blocked with grass clippings and debris drastically reduces the efficiency.
• When using a weed whacker be careful near the unit. Debris can damage the coil, flatten the aluminum fins, and cut the thermostat wires; shorting out the transformer. We see this all the time and it is an expensive repair bill.
• Don't grow a garden or plant exotic flowers around the outdoor unit without leaving a path for servicing. When planting shrubs please don't block the access panels or the coil. Plan to keep 18 to 30 inches around the unit. Don't forget to plan for the growth of the shrubs five, ten, even fifteen years down the road. Many people like to completely hide the outdoor unit behind shrubs. Again make sure to leave a path to service the unit.
• Having crushed stone around the unit is best. It allows for good drainage, keeps the unit level and from sinking, keeps the coils clean from washed-up grass and dirt and also keeps the service technicians shoes clean. This will also keep your floors and carpeting clean.

Furnance:

• Keep your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted with annual maintenance. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency it will use less energy and cost less to operate.
• Clean or replace the filter every 1-2 months - a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to run longer to heat your home.
• Consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR® qualified furnace with a variable speed motor. An average home can save up to $586 in natural gas and electrical costs annually when upgrading from a standard 60% efficiency natural gas furnace to a 95% efficiency furnace with a high efficiency variable speed motor.
• In heating, try not to set the thermostat below 65 degrees or above 75 degrees. Below 65 degrees a heat pump just won't put out enough heat and above 75 degrees is using too much energy

Hot Water Heater:

• Set your water heater thermostat at the lowest temperature that provides you with sufficient hot water, but not lower than 120° F. For most households, 120° F water is fine. If you use a lot of hot water, you may need to set the temperature higher to provide enough hot water for your needs.
• Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.
• When leaving for vacation, set hot water heater temperature at its lowest setting.  This will save money and reduce the risk of any problems while you are away.
• Flush hot water heater through drain valve at least once a year to remove sediment build-up.
• Keep area around hot water heater, clean and free of combustible and flammable material.