Saving Money While Keeping Your House Cool (NAPSA)—Unless you have a two-year old, about half of all the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. There are many simple ways to keep cooling costs down. One easy way to save on energy bills is to install a high-efficiency heating and cooling system that is the right size for your home. Cooling systems today, even at the lowest efficiency rates allowed by the government, will almost always cost less to operate than one installed ten years ago. To maximize energy savings and reduce pollution, look for the EPA Energy Star rating. Energy Star qualified central air conditioners, such as the high-efficiency Maytag 1010 series, are about 20 percent moreefficient than standard efficiency products and can save homeowners hundredsofdollars over the equipment’s lifetime. Your air conditioner’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures howefficiently the unit cools. The higher the rating, the moreefficiently the unit performs, resulting in a lower utility bill. Many factors can affect longterm savings. Here are 10 ways to save: 1. Programmable thermostats: Use one to set back the temperature when you don’t really need it, such as when sleeping or gonefor the day. 2. Maintenance: Changefilters frequently and clean indoor and outdoor coils. Most dealers offer a regular maintenance service that can keep your system operating correctly. 3. Installation: When your air conditioner is sized and installed properly, you can save up to 40 percent on your heating and coolingbills. ENERGY STAR To maximize energy savings in your home, look for the EPA Energy Star rating when buying appliances. 4. Match indoor & outdoor coils: If you install a new central air conditioning outdoor unit, include a new, equally efficient “matched” indoor unit. 5. Insulation: Be sure your homeis adequately insulated. 6. Check and re-check: In the spring and fall, check the seals around windows and doors and then seal them with a quality caulk. 7. Ductwork: Make sure ductwork is properly installed for greater efficiency. Also check for leaks, mold, dirt and foreign matter in the duct system. 8. A name you can trust: If purchasing a new system,select a brand name with a reputation for quality and dependability, such as Maytag Heating and Cooling. 9. Prevent air loss: Install weather stripping around drafty areas on windows and doors. 10.Keep your thermostat up: Each extra degree can add four to five percent to your cooling bill depending on the age of the air conditioner. For additional energy-saving tips go to www.maytaghvac.com.
