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High-efficiency Heating and Cooling
From WikiVerde
Sub topics under Heating and Cooling
The needs of your temperature control system will vary depending on the type of climate in which you reside and the season of the year. An interior climate control system that is effective should take advantage of the location as well as of the modern technological advances that will work in your favor to increase effectiveness of your interior climate control system and reduce costs at the same time. You may be fortunate enough to be able to design and build the ideal house for your location, but it is far more likely that you will be retrofitting an existing system. Here are some tips to make the most of your heating and cooling dollar.
Tips for Effective Energy Utilization
Fix the leaks
Air leakage from around doors and windows is one of the most significant causes of energy loss in your house. If warm air is escaping into the atmosphere, you will have extra heating bills to pay to replace the heated air that is leaving the house. If the outside air is warm and the interior of your house is cooler, allowing air leaks to remain means you are attempting to cool the outside air a little bit at a time. While air flow in a house can be a very effective way to manage the indoor climate, it should be done in a directed way rather than by accident. Use a smoke pencil or an incense stick around doors and window openings to identify problem areas and seal the leaks with silicon caulking.
Windows
Another major loss of effective heating and cooling is through the window glass. Windows that are constructed with dead air space between two or even three panes of glass do much to reduce unwanted heating and cooling through the glass, but also represent a major expense. A simpler and slightly less effective method is simply to be aware of the value of drawing curtains or drapes when the difference in temperature between interior and exterior air is greatest. Using insulated drapes at night will reduce heat loss through the glass. If you are unable to afford the cost and efficiency of double or triple pane windows, the use of effective window treatments is a good alternative measure.
Fans
The use of fans for various purposes within your home can help both with heating and cooling efficiency. For example, running a ceiling fan on a hot day is appropriate for moving the air in a room and can help to make the room seem cooler even without turning down the thermostat. There will be some expense for the electrical power to run the fans, but it is still less than that used by dropping the air conditioner temperature a degree or two. Fans help to cool the house during warm weather, but they can also make your house more comfortable in the colder weather. Reverse the direction of a ceiling fan to bring warmer air down into the room and drop the temperature on the thermostat one or two degrees and you've improved the climate control and saved money at the same time.
Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is an excellent way to add efficiency to your heating and cooling efforts. By programming the thermostat to lower the heat during times when you are sleeping or not at home you will make significant savings on energy consumption. By increasing thermostat temperatures during hot summer months, you will also save on energy costs. During heating months, wear an extra sweater and set the thermostat lower by one to two degrees and you will see savings quickly in your fuel consumption.
Water Heaters
A conventional water heater is one of the largest energy hogs in the home. The prudent homeowner will explore efficiency in water heaters in several ways. The easiest and most obvious way would be by lowering the water temperature to 120 degrees which will save energy costs and prevent scalding burns. If natural gas is available in your area, consider the acquisition of a tankless hot water heater. The hot water in a natural gas tankless heater is on demand, so energy is not used maintaining the hot water temperature. In most cases any natural gas heater is more efficient than an electric one. The best solution consists in using a solar hot water heater. In the U. S., most states offer a refund or other types of money incentives toward the purchase of a solar hot water system so it is also the best solution for your pockets.
Water pipes
Using insulation on water pipes provides energy efficiency in two ways. By insulating the pipes, heat is not lost through the pipes running from the water heater to the faucet. There is also a savings, because less time is required to run the water before it is at the desired temperature. This provides a savings in water usage which can save money over the long run. It's important to make sure there are no leaky water pipes or connections to avoid costly water loss.
Furnace
The furnace in a house is an important component of the total energy consumption. Regardless of the type of furnace you have in your dwelling, certain basic procedures should be carried out on a regular basis. The filters and air vents should be clean and free of obstructions to block air flow. The furnace itself should be inspected regularly, but at least once per year. During summer months you should turn off the pilot light for a gas furnace. Make sure all moving parts for the furnace, such as the fan belt, are free of cracks and splits so that it works efficiently. Never allow anything to lean against a furnace or fireplace.
Fireplace
Natural gas fireplaces provide more heat and better efficiency than do wood burning fireplaces. In addition, gas is cleaner than wood. Provide an outside vent to the fireplace to give direct combustion air to make the wood burning fireplace more efficient. Make sure the vents are cleared of dust and cobwebs regularly. Close the fireplace damper when not in use. When you are burning wood make sure it is seasoned correctly. The firebox should be cleared of ashes regularly for better burning efficiency and the chimney should be regularly cleaned to prevent buildup of soot and carbon.
