Heatingand CoolingDuctworkYour ductwork carries hot and cold air to the roomsthroughout your home so it makes sense to insulate yourducts to keep the air as cold and hot as possible on itsjourney there. Insulating ducts in unconditioned spacesusually saves money and if you’re buying a new system, lookat pre-insulated ducting. Ductwork can waste your energy dollars if ignored.

Ducts also can waste energy through leaks which allow air to escape before it reaches itsdestination. Sealing your duct leaks is important, especially if the ducts are located in anunconditioned area such as an attic or crawl space. Look for sections that have separated and,of course, holes. Because traditional duct tape loses its adhesive quality relatively soon, expertsrecommend using mastic or other heat-approved tapes.

Due to the danger of carbon monoxide buildup, always have a qualified professional handle yourmajor ductwork and repairs.

FurnacesChange your furnace filters regularly. A clean filter ensures efficient airflow while maintaining theair quality and comfort of your home. A clogged air filter will only make your furnace work thatmuch harder to keep your home warm.

Set your furnace fan to “auto.” Setting the fan switch on your thermostat to “on” will cause it torun all the time, whether or not your home needs heating or cooling. Switching from continuousto auto can save from about $75 to over $400 per year.

Fireplaces look and feel cozy, but can be expensive to use. We all love the warm glow of afireplace but keep in mind that this entertainment feature comes with a price tag. Both gas andwood fireplaces are typically less efficient than the average furnace and won’t heat an entirehome, so that cost is being added to your regular heating bills. Fireplaces might add a little extracomfort to a room, but generally shouldn’t be used in place of your furnace.

If your home has a fireplace, close the chimney damper when not in use to stop cold air fromentering the house through the chimney. If you never use your fireplace, consider having acontractor plug and seal the flue to reduce heat loss through the roof.

If your furnace is more than 15 years old, it could be wasting energy and money. When shoppingfor a new furnace, look for an ENERGY STAR certified model with an annual fuel utilizationefficiency (AFUE) of at least 90 percent. To save electricity, choose a multi-stage furnace with avariable speed fan motor (also known as an ECM, or electronically commutated motor). Thesefurnaces use less electricity and are quieter than those that use standard fan motors. Dependingon how you use your fan, you could save $80 to $380 a year in electricity costs.

Just like a car, your home heating and cooling system needs regular maintenance to keep itrunning efficiently. That’s why it is smart to hire a qualified technician to service your furnaceand central air conditioner annually. The technician should check indoor and outdoor coils,airflow, refrigerant charge, and electrical connections.

Window Air ConditionerIf you are purchasing a window air conditioner, look for an ENERGY STAR certified model. Theyuse at least 10 percent less energy than standard models.

When using a window air conditioner, set the fan speed on high except in very humid weather.When it is humid, set the fan speed on low; you’ll get less cooling, but more moisture will be re-moved from the air.

Keep the window air conditioner clean inside and out. Check and clean the filter regularly. Thecondenser (outside coil) should be cleaned at least every two or three years.

Central Air ConditionerIf your central air conditioner doesn’t work properly, do these things first: check thermostatsettings to make sure they are set to the cool and automatic settings and check fuses or circuitbreakers in the panel box. In the case of a blown or tripped fuse, simply reset or replace thefuse. Check the switch on the side of the furnace; it should be in the on position. Some furnaceshave a safety switch located in the blower or filter area. If you’ve recently changed the filter,make sure the outside cover panel is on correctly and making contact with this switch or the unitwill not start.

If your central air conditioner is more than 12 years old, consider replacing it with a moreefficient unit. When shopping for a new central air conditioner, look for an ENERGY STAR certifiedmodel. They have a higher seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER) than standard ones, makingthem about 14 percent more energy efficient. We recommend units with a rating of 15 SEER orhigher.

Install air conditioning units on the shady side of the house. Direct sunlight on a window unit orthe compressor section of a central system adds to the workload of your equipment.

If it is not already shaded by the house or trees, provide shade for the outdoor unit of your centralconditioner. However, be sure not to plant shrubs too close to the unit. For it to work best theremust be a free flow of air around the unit. Clean the unit prior to each cooling season and checkit regularly during the summer to make sure it’s not being blocked by leaves, lawn clippings andother debris.

Minimize the use of appliances that add heat and humidity to your home when the demand onyour air conditioning system is highest. Run the dishwasher or clothes dryer at night or early in themorning. Also, consider alternative cooking methods on the hottest days, such as grilling outsideor using the microwave.

A recommended temperature setting for an air-conditioned room is 78 degrees. Raising thetemperature one degree for each eight-hour period during the cooling season can save up to2 percent on cooling costs.

Don’t turn the thermostat lower than your desired comfort setting. The house will not cool anyfaster, and chances are you’ll end up over-cooling your home and wasting energy.

Except when it is quite hot and humid, you’ll save money by turning off your central or windowair conditioner while you’re gone during the day. Buy a programmable thermostat which can bepreset to turn on the air conditioner so it cools your home in time for your arrival.

Don’t run the air conditioner during the night if it is cooler outside than inside. To set-up coolingcurrents of air, open windows top and bottom on different sides of your home and use a fan.

ThermostatsSet your thermostat lower in winter and higher in summer. In heating mode, lower yourthermostat by 1 degree Fahrenheit for 8 hours (such as when you are asleep or away) to saveabout 1 percent on your heating bill.

Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower in the winter and 78 degrees or higher in thesummer to save some green. You also can save with a programmable thermostat thatautomatically adjusts the temperature when you’re asleep or away.

Turn down the thermostat when you have guests. With the extra warm bodies in the house, youwon’t need to crank the heat. Save energy and keep your guests comfortable by turning downthe thermostat.

Water HeaterInsulate the first 3 to 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes leading from the water heater.

Reduce the amount of hot water you use to shower by installing a low-flow shower head. This cancut the water needed for showers by as much as half.

Hot water leaking at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water in ayear, and cost you up to $35 to heat that water.

Set your water heater temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (140 degrees Fahrenheit ifyou have a dishwasher). Each 10 degrees Fahrenheit reduction in temperature will save you3-5 percent on your water heating costs.

Install a high-efficiency water heater. The most efficient water heaters are usually gas operated.If natural gas or LP is available, choose a power-vent gas water heater with an energy factor of0.64 or greater. If gas is not available where you live, choose an electric model with an energyfactor of 0.93 or greater.

Water heaters with insufficient insulation can lose heat, which means they have to work harderto keep the water hot. To find out if your electric water heater might need some additionalinsulation, place your hand on the water heater above the middle of the tank. If it feels hot orwarm, you’re wasting energy. Unless your water heater’s storage tank already has a high R-valueof insulation (at least R-24), adding insulation to it can reduce standby heat losses by 25 to45 percent. This will save you around 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs.

Caution: Never put an insulation blanket on a gas water heater if it is equipped with an automaticvent damper or if it is prohibited by the manufacturer.