The heat is on. And if your air-conditioner is off, or just
not running efficiently,
you or your wallet are suffering.
Dale Dorman, a housing specialist with the University of
Georgia Extension Service,
says good maintenance in hot weather can save you both
discomfort and money.
"Cooling experts recommend having your system inspected
and served by a qualified
contractor," Dorman says. "The best person to call is
the one who installed it
or the manufacturer’s local representative listed in the Yellow
Pages."
Dorman suggests these tips to keep your system running its
best:
* Shade your room air-conditioner from direct sun. This will
reduce its workload.
* Clean the filters every month and replace them as
necessary. This will save energy
and reduce dust and pollen in the air.
* Don’t leave your room air-conditioner turned to the coolest
setting when you go out.
Set the controls to a warmer setting to reduce operating
costs.
* Because dust can foil efficiency, vacuum air vents
regularly. And don’t block them
with furniture, carpet or curtains.
* Leaky ducts are prime sources of energy waste. Hire a
professional to seal and
insulate ducts.
* If your home has crawl space under it, open the foundation
vents in the spring to
promote air flow. Close them in the winter.
* Prune shrubs that may block air flow to your air-
conditioner.
* Think about installing ceiling fans. The air circulation
spreads cooling in the
summer and boosts heating efficiency in the winter.
When you buy a new air-conditioning system, "you can
save a little or a lot,"
Dorman says. "Select the most energy-efficient equipment
that meets your needs and
fits your budget."
The more efficient a product, the less it costs to run. It
reduces air pollution, too,
and helps conserve natural resources.
So what makes one system more efficient than another?
"Most of the differences are on the inside in the
motors, compressors, pumps,
valves, gaskets and seals," Dorman says. "Or in
electronic sensors that make
today’s products more ‘intelligent.’"
Manufacturers use standard U.S. Department of Energy tests to
prove their products’
efficiency. The EnergyGuide materials from the Federal Trade
Commission’s Bureau of
Consumer Protection report the test results.
Before you buy, use an energy audit to help pinpoint your
needs, Dorman says. Audits
help detect energy waste and gauge your current system’s
efficiency. Do-it-yourself kits
are available.
Find out about special offers. Ask your local utility or
salesperson about cash
rebates, low interest loans or other incentives for buying
energy-efficient products. You
may qualify.
If you’re buying a home, ask your lender if an Energy-
Efficient Mortgage is available.
EEMs allow home buyers to qualify for a larger mortgage. Lenders
use the lower monthly
bills you’d pay in an energy-efficient house to offset a higher
mortgage payment.
