As the cold winter moves into the Kansas City area, it’s easy to forget the importance of conserving energy. As we continue to deplete non-renewable resources, and increase carbon dioxide emissions, we hurt the environment. On a personal level, we waste not only our natural resources, but also hard-earned money. Fortunately, a few easy energy savers can dramatically reduce unnecessary consumption.
- Heating system – Annual maintenance checks are critical to safe and efficient operation and help to extend the useful life of your HVAC system.
- Energy Star certified programmable thermostat – Schedule temperature changes in your home without the necessity of manual operation. You canmanually override the system whenever it’s necessary to do so for your comfort.
- Temperature setting – Set your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees F during waking hours and 55 to 60 degrees F when you’re asleep or away from home for a extended time. Lowering the temperature by one degree will reduce your heating costs aproximately 2 percent.
- Filters – Inspect the air filter on your forced-air heating system at least monthly, and change it when it is dirty. Besides being great energy savers, clean filters reduce airborne allergens and other unwanted particulates so you can breathe more comfortably.
- Appropriate clothing – Wear warm clothing, shoes or slippers, to minimize the need to turn up the heat. Warm socks and a sweater may be some of the least expensive energy savers you can buy.
- Insulation and Air Sealing – Besides ceilings and walls, consider double-glazed windows, drapes, rugs and carpeting, and weatherstripping around doors and windows. While well-insulated ceilings and walls help maintain the temperature of your home, air leaks in poorly sealed doors and windows will compromise the effectiveness of insulation. Add insulation to your attic for the easiest and most effective insulation strategy.
- Humidifier – Replace moisture depleted by your heating system and the dry indoor air of winter, which will help you feel warmer at a lower temperature.Humidifiers also counter the drying effects of the furnace on your skin and throat and even your furniture and home fixtures.
Whether you need to invest in a new HVAC system, tune-up an old one, or just have questions, our professionals at Overland Park Heating & Cooling will be happy to help identify energy savers that will boost the comfort of your Kansas City area home. Contact us today for an appointment.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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