Cost-Effective Heating and Air Conditioning Solutions for Your Home
One hundred years ago, homes in much of the South were built with high ceilings, transoms, large windows, and raised floors to provide some relief during the stifling hot summers. Today, these design elements are beautiful and provide some relief from the heat, but in no way can they replace cooling and heating options afforded by fuel and electricity. In most of the United States, heating and air conditioning are essential to your home's comfort, despite the cost and operation. Fortunately, there are more options than ever when selecting an energy-efficient system for your home.
Making your home comfortable requires a significant amount of energy, depending on where you live. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that on average 50 percent of a home's energy costs are related to heating and air conditioning. In some parts of the country, that translates to approximately $1,100 per year. Traditional heating and air conditioning systems are one option. In some situations, ductless systems are an efficient solution, and a growing number of consumers are opting for it. It is estimated that by 2020, approximately 30 percent of sales of air conditioning systems will be ductless systems. One advantage of a ductless system is that they can be used to heat or cool only the areas of the house that are being used. Additionally, ductless systems run on an outdoor condenser that supplies a lighter load, and are tied to indoor air handlers that are hung on a wall. Using a more powerful condenser with additional air handlers allows a ductless system to heat or cool a larger area of the house. Sensors that tell the system how hard to work allow the ductless system to function at a level more efficient than traditional heating and air conditioning units. Users report that the systems are also very quiet.
Once you select the best system for your home, it is important to ensure that it can operate as efficiently as possible. Energy Star provides a number of easy solutions to make sure your system is not working overtime. It is recommended that you change air conditioning filters once a month during the times of the year your system is used most. Clean filters prevent dust build-up and allow the air to move through quickly. The agency also recommends installing programmable thermostats, particularly if you are away from your hose for long periods of time during the day. Some thermostats can work with your smartphone, allowing you to control your settings away from home. Programmable thermostats will help you save approximately $180 per year in energy costs by preventing the system from working too hard at times when no one is home. Inexpensive, low-tech solutions can also help keep energy costs down. Door sweeps and draft guards can keep heated or cooled air inside. During the winter, drapes can be opened during the day to let sunlight in, and drawn at night to prevent warm air from escaping through the window.
Making your home comfortable requires a significant amount of energy, depending on where you live. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that on average 50 percent of a home's energy costs are related to heating and air conditioning. In some parts of the country, that translates to approximately $1,100 per year. Traditional heating and air conditioning systems are one option. In some situations, ductless systems are an efficient solution, and a growing number of consumers are opting for it. It is estimated that by 2020, approximately 30 percent of sales of air conditioning systems will be ductless systems. One advantage of a ductless system is that they can be used to heat or cool only the areas of the house that are being used. Additionally, ductless systems run on an outdoor condenser that supplies a lighter load, and are tied to indoor air handlers that are hung on a wall. Using a more powerful condenser with additional air handlers allows a ductless system to heat or cool a larger area of the house. Sensors that tell the system how hard to work allow the ductless system to function at a level more efficient than traditional heating and air conditioning units. Users report that the systems are also very quiet.
Once you select the best system for your home, it is important to ensure that it can operate as efficiently as possible. Energy Star provides a number of easy solutions to make sure your system is not working overtime. It is recommended that you change air conditioning filters once a month during the times of the year your system is used most. Clean filters prevent dust build-up and allow the air to move through quickly. The agency also recommends installing programmable thermostats, particularly if you are away from your hose for long periods of time during the day. Some thermostats can work with your smartphone, allowing you to control your settings away from home. Programmable thermostats will help you save approximately $180 per year in energy costs by preventing the system from working too hard at times when no one is home. Inexpensive, low-tech solutions can also help keep energy costs down. Door sweeps and draft guards can keep heated or cooled air inside. During the winter, drapes can be opened during the day to let sunlight in, and drawn at night to prevent warm air from escaping through the window.
