Home Comfortable This Summer ie) ts 40% aed = UE UEiis Ue Ca} BTMI] a Riis Annual Cooling Bill fe Site PUL) Minimum efficiency established by the Department of Energy. (NAPS)—Asthe nation’s energy erunch continues, homeowners everywhereare facing the prospect of a long, hot summer with higherthan-average utility bills. But, before getting overheated by the thought of paying more to keep your home comfortable, there are steps you can take to reduce your energy consumption. Potential energy savings may vary depending on numerous facts, ineluding your personal lifestyle, system settings and local climate, but cutting back can help. “Conservation is the key,” said Paul Trotter, brand manager for American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. “While the debate continues over what to do about the national energy crisis, homeowners can start conserving energy today.” American Standard recommends these tips for reducing your energy consumption this summer: * Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or even higher when you’re not at home. For each degree you raise the thermostat, you can save up to five percent on yourcooling costs. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider purchasing one. * Have a professional heating and air conditioning dealer clean and cheek your system before the cooling season starts. * Change your filter monthly during peak usage. Dirty filters require your system to work harder to keep your homecool. * Consider blinds or window treatments over exposed windows to shield your home from the heat. Add insulation to your attic and makesure all your doors and windowsare weather-stripped. For those in the market for a new home comfort system, consider choosing options that will have long-term significance on energy usage. * Select a high efficiency, variable speed heating and air conditioning system. In the heat of summer, a high efficiency system of 16 SEER (Seasonal Energy Effi- ciency Rating) can make an enormous difference in your energy consumption. The government's current minimum SEER require- ment is 10. Each point up on the SEER scale means ten percent moreefficiency. If you have a variable speed system, keep the fan running continuously during the summer to circulate the air and provide the best possible air filtration. This ean be done by turning the fan switch on the thermostat from “automatic” to “on.” Operating like this, a variable speed motor uses about as much energy as a 40-watt light bulb. In winter, a variable speed furnace varies its output depending on your home’s heating needs. Eighty percent or moreof the time it will operate in first-stage, which conserves energy and eliminates temperature swings. * Make sure to purchase the right size system. Your heating and air conditioning dealer can determine this with a load caleu- lation of your home. For additional tips on air conditioning, contact your local American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning dealer, visit www.americanstandardair.com, or request a free video by calling 1-866-NICE AIR.
