Heating Tips

• Keep your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted with annual maintenance. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency it will use less energy and cost less to operate.

• Clean or replace the filter every 1-2 months - a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to run longer to heat your home.

• Consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR® qualified furnace with a variable speed motor. An average home can save up to $650 in natural gas and electrical costs annually when upgrading from a standard 80% efficiency natural gas furnace to a 95% efficiency furnace with a high efficiency variable speed motor.

• Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace is not in use. Closing the damper prevents up to 8% of furnace-heated air from going up the chimney. If the fireplace is never used, the damper should be sealed with weather-stripping and the chimney stuffed with fiberglass insulation. Remove this material from the chimney before a fire is lit in the fireplace.

Air Conditioning Tips

• Perform regular maintenance on your air conditioning unit. Replace the filter monthly during the cooling season and have a professional service your system at the beginning of each cooling season.

• If you have an old air conditioning system with a SEER rating of less than 14, it may be worthwhile to consider replacing it with a more energy efficient system. You should be able to recoup the cost in just a few years.

• Install a programmable thermostat so you can vary the temperature according to when you're home. Set it to 78 degrees when you're home. If you'll be gone for more than a few hours, it makes sense to set the air conditioning at 85 degrees while you're gone.

• Make sure your air conditioning condenser is located in a shady spot and has room to dispose of the heated air it removes from your house. Don't crowd it with shrubs or anything else.

• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. Vents in the eaves allows cooler air to enter. A ridge vent or an attic fan can significantly reduce your cooling costs.

Plumbing Tips

• Even small drips can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day! Be sure to check under sinks for moisture or small leaks. And always repair leaky faucets right away to avoid paying for wasted water, and also to avoid water damage to your fixtures and pipes.

• At least once every two years, have your water heater inspected by a service technician. He or she will also check the drain valve for signs of leakage, and the anode rods for corrosion.

• To help prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips, and clean the strainer regularly.

• Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and create clogs.