Simple and inexpensive actions can help you save energy and money. If you haven’t done so already, the first step to saving energy and money in your home is to conduct a home energy audit. This will allow you to find out where you can save the most. As with all of our customers, we want to ensure that when you contact us, you are able to get the biggest bang for your energy buck. Keep reading for a few ideas on how you can save big, too!
Heating and Cooling
Small adjustments can lead to big savings when it comes to heating and cooling your home. Choose efficient furnaces and air conditioners when it’s time for replacement. Furnaces and air conditioners are expensive to operate and replace. If you need a new one, do not assume the size of the current unit is appropriate. Look at the unit’s efficiency rating. Furnaces with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating of at least 92 and an electrically efficient blower motor (ECW or variable speed) are best. If you use your central air conditioner a lot, look for a model with a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 14 or more for the best efficiency.
Scheduling regular tune-ups for your heating and cooling systems is also a wise idea. Seasonal maintenance keeps equipment running safely and efficiently, and saves money in the long run. For those homeowners with a fireplace, keep your damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping it open is like leaving a window wide open. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if you have them) or open the nearest window slightly—an inch or so should do it—and close doors leading into the room. It should then be safe to lower your thermostat to between 50 and 55°F. If you have a fireplace that you never use, plug and seal the chimney flue.
Appliances and Household Electronics
Every load of laundry and every appliance and electronic gizmo provides an opportunity for efficiency and savings. Look for the ENERGY STAR label. The most efficient computers, TVs, washers, dryers, kitchen appliances and even fans have the label right on the box. To put it plainly, they save money! Using power strips for your electronic equipment can help save money as well. Many electronics consume energy even when you are not using them, hence the reason they’re often called energy vampires. These devices use about $100 of energy a year. Plugging chargers, computers and printers into a power strip lets you turn them off with one switch. Better yet, use a smart power strip. It turns off automatically when devices are not in use.
We know that the only way to achieve the goal of complete customer satisfaction is to establish procedures that ensure the job is done right the first time, every time, and at every customer’s home. In addition to establishing these procedures, we also know that having the right people to do the job is tantamount to our continued success. It is our mission to assure you that we will get the job done right, in a timely manner, and for a fair price. Our goal is to exceed your expectations. We are “Connecticut’s Chimney Experts”, and we are here for all of your chimney and fireplace needs.