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heating
systems energy saving tips when buying &
using
When
specifying the size of the heating system, first make
every effort to have the greatest energy efficiency of
the house, then run a heat-loss calculation.
Select
a system w/ a good warranty & a reputable company
to back it up.
When
purchasing a gas-fired system, specify sealed
combustion. Sealed combustion appliances bring outside
air directly into the burner & exhaust flue gases
(combustion products) directly to the outside, w/out
the need for a draft hood or damper. They generally
burn more efficiently & pose no risk of
introducing dangerous combustion gases into your
house. w/ non sealed-combustion appliances,
back-drafting of combustion gases can be a big
problem.
Contract
for professional cleaning & tuning every other
year for a gas-fired unit.
Select
energy-efficient equipment when you buy new heating
equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you
energy fact sheets for different types, models &
designs to help you compare energy usage. Look for
high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings
& the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The
national minimums are 78 percent AFUE & 10 SEER.
cooling
systems
central
air conditioners
High
efficiency cooling equipment can lower utility bills,
improve comfort & air quality throughout the home
& help reduce air pollution.
Central
air conditioners use energy to pump heat out of
buildings, distribute cool air w/in buildings &
remove moisture from buildings. Central air conditioners
are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency
ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of
energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. The
average SEER for units sold today is between 10.0 &
11.0. The minimum SEER allowed by the Federal Government
is 10.0 for a split system & 9.7 for a single-package
system. Select a central air conditioner w/ a SEER of 12
or greater. Also specify that the air conditioner be
approved for the ENERGY STAR® label.
Central
units are more efficient than window units. The central
system may be able to use duct work in a forced air
heating system. You would decide this depending on the
size of the air conditioning unit & the relative
heating & cooling loads.
central
air conditioning energy saving tips when buying &
using
When
shopping for a central air conditioner, look for a
SEER rating of 12 or higher.
Proper
sizing & installation are the key to determining
air conditioner efficiency. Too large a unit will not
adequately remove humidity. Too small a unit will not
be able to attain a comfortable temperature on the
hottest of days. Improper unit location, lack of
insulation & improper duct installation can
greatly diminish efficiency.
When
selecting a unit, look for a system w/ a fan-only
switch so you can use the unit for nighttime
ventilation, a filter check light to remind you to
check the filter & an automatic-delay fan switch
to turn off the fan for a few minutes after the
compressor turns off.
If
possible, place the outdoor unit on the north or east
side of the home in a shaded spot. Plant trees or
shrubs to shade air conditioning units but not to
block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses
as much as 10 percent less electricity than the same
one operating in the sun.
Effectively
shade east & west windows.
Check
the refrigerant charge level. Overcharging or
undercharging the system will affect the proper
operation of the unit.
Dirt
buildup on the indoor coil is the single most common
cause of poor efficiency.
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