Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005

Tips for making your home more energy efficient

Fall is upon us, and with this finicky weather comes the great debate: Do we retreat indoors to escape sultry Indian-summer temps or find solace from frost-laden dew? Whether you’re pumping up the heat or blasting cool air, we’ve got some energy-efficient tips to help you prepare your home for the coming change in season.

Mom gets chilly in the living room but Dad roasts in the den. Programmable heating and cooling systems that are zoned to address diverse temperature household preferences, as well as a multitude of other air issues, may be the way to go. Check out Bryant’s Evolution System, one of the first HVAC systems to implement an easy-to-use single control to integrate and manage all six comfort functions including temperature, humidity, air flow, ventilation, indoor air quality (IAQ) and zoning.

Managing up to eight different zones, the system is Energy Star certified and features longer heating and cooling cycles at lower fan speeds, which in turn translates into energy savings and more consistent temperatures throughout the home. Plus, the programmable feature means you can have customized air throughout the house, or a certain room, an hour before you arrive home from work without leaving the system running all day — a true win-win situation for both people and pocketbooks!

With chillier months on the horizon, your furnace can expect to run up to 15 hours in one day, so it’s important to properly care and maintain it to ensure safe and efficient operation. Make sure air returns and distribution vents are clear to allow proper airflow. Clean or replace furnace filters about every two months. Have your ducts cleaned and sealed every three to five years by a professional. And, every year around this time, hire a licensed HVAC technician to perform routine service and maintenance. While the technician is at your home, ask if you should upgrade to a high-efficiency model that will conserve energy (and fatten your wallet via long-term savings benefits!).

Standard furnaces have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 80 percent, while high-efficiency models average an AFUE of 93 or higher. So for every dollar you spend on heating energy, 93 percent versus 80 percent is circulated back into the home.

The information swirling around heating and cooling systems can prove to be downright daunting, so it’s important to ask your local dealer for clarification and insight. Here are 10 popular questions that may help clear the air:

1. What type of system do I need to make my home comfortable?

2. What should I look for in a new furnace?

3. What should I look for in a new heat pump or air conditioner?

4. How do furnaces and boilers work?

5. How do air cleaners and humidifiers work?

6. How does zoning work?

7. How do thermostats work?

8. What simple maintenance and troubleshooting can I do myself?

9. When should I repair older equipment and when do I need to replace it?

10. How do I compare the performance of heating and cooling products?

For more information and to find a local dealer near you, visit www.bryant.com or call (888) 999-BRYANT.

— ARA Content