Maximizing Energy Efficiency
Spring is the time when most of us get a break on our utility bills. The heater isn’t experiencing the same level of demand, and the air conditioner hasn’t been pressed into the full service it will see on a hot July afternoon. However, while your air conditioning and heat are a large part of your utility bills (up to 56% in many homes), there are still other factors that absorb your energy dollars month after month. This is the perfect time to focus on maximizing your home’s energy efficiency to lower costs.
For example, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, in the typical U.S. home, appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20% of your energy bills. These include:
- Clothes washers and dryers
- Computers
- Dishwashers
- Home audio equipment
- Refrigerator and freezers
- Room air conditioners
- Televisions, DVD players, and VCRs
- Water heaters
When shopping for appliances and electronics, you’ll want to compare energy-efficiency ratings. To do that, look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels. ENERGY STAR® labels appear on appliances and home electronics that meet strict energy efficiency criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You’ll find this labeling program with most home electronics (except stove ranges and ovens).
Another good source of information, the EnergyGuide label is a requirement from the Federal Trade Commission for most home appliance and provides an estimate of the product’s energy consumption or energy efficiency. They also show the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiency estimates of similar appliance models.
Should You Turn Off Personal Computer?
Most of us now have a computer in our homes. However, since computers first became a popular (and almost essential) item for the home, a debate has raged about whether you will save more energy by shutting off the computer when not in use – or whether that will cause the computer to degrade sooner than its time.
According to the DOE, switching the computer on and off does not necessarily use more energy. In other words, though there is a small surge of energy used at the start-up, it’s not likely to be more energy that would be used if the computer stayed on while idle.
To save energy:
- Turn off the monitor if you aren’t going to use the computer for 20 minutes.
- Turn off both the computer and monitor if you’re not going to use your PC for more than 2 hours.
- Make sure your monitors, printers, and other accessories are on a power strip/surge protector. When this equipment is not in use for extended periods, turn off the switch on the power strip to prevent them from drawing power even when shut off. If you don’t use a power strip, unplug extra equipment when it’s not in use.
The concern about turning off a computer when not in use has been that the constant “on and off” would shorten the life of the PC. But in most cases, advances in technology are more likely to make a PC obsolete before the wear and tear of switching it on and off.
The Sleep Mode Option: Many PCs come with a power-down or sleep mode feature for the CPU and monitor, which means that they will consume less energy when not in use. Power-down features are good to have, but you’ll still use even less energy when you turn off the CPU and monitor at appropriate times.
Another good point: PCs produce heat, so turning them off reduces building cooling loads. And that’s where a lot of your energy dollars will soon be going.
Maintaining Your Air Conditioner for Energy Efficiency
One thing about spring: summer follows closely behind. And that means your air conditioner is going to be called upon for heavy duty. To prepare your system and to prepare for your utility bills, call us for a spring tune-up.
Regular maintenance on your air conditioner is important to keep it operating like it should. It’s similar to the regular maintenance needed on your car – you don’t want to go too long without a tune-up and oil change if you want to maximize efficiency, prevent breakdowns and have the car last a long time. It’s the same concept with your air conditioner.
And we here at Smith Heating & Cooling train our technicians to fully clean, adjust and reset your system to factory specs which saves on your energy and gives you peace of mind. To schedule your tune-up, just give us a call at 888-819-5900, and we’ll send someone out right away.
Smith Heating & Cooling
819 N Morley, Moberly, Mo. 65270
Phone 660-263-5944, 573-814-0506, 888-819-5900
smithrefrige@sbcglobal.net smithheatingandcooling.com
www.smithheatingandcooling.com
660-263-5944