Long-term energy savings require investments that pay off over time. These changes to your home and/or lifestyle may not be dramatic or produce startling savings immediately. By reducing energy use, increasing the effectiveness of heating and cooling and making other household changes, you can stimulate savings and increased comfort. Here are nine investments for long-term energy savings:
- Use a programmable thermostat. Utilize its built-in energy-saving programs or input your own schedules to automatically adjust to your household requirements on a daily basis.
- Add insulation. The attic’s the easiest and most effective place to add insulation. In Southern California, the Department of Energy recommends at least 12 inches of fiberglass or 10 inches of cellulose insulation to retard attic heat transfer.
- Use the passive approach. Passive methods like reflective window film, awnings, and reflective coatings on the exterior walls and the roof can reduce infiltration of solar infrared heat.
- Buy energy-efficient appliances. Home appliances displaying the Department of Energy’s Energy Star icon on the yellow EnergyGuide label consume less energy and have a lower environmental impact than common alternatives.
- Heat the pool efficiently. Use a pool cover to save up to 50 percent on heating costs. Look into solar pool heaters, ideal for the SoCal climate.
- Upgrade to high-efficiency A/C. While a standard-efficiency furnace is sufficient for L.A.’s climate, substantial savings can come from moving up to a high-efficiency air conditioner with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 14 or above.
- Grow your own efficiency. Plant trees to shade the roof on the sunny side of the house, and plant bushes to keep perimeter heat down around walls and walkways.
- Look into renewable energy. Technologies like solar photovoltaic panels and geothermal heating and cooling are an energy-saving match for our sunny, mild climate.
- Install insulated windows with Low-E glass. They make rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter by insulating up to 60 percent better than regular glazing.
Serving Los Angeles and Ventura counties since 1967, Around the Clock Heating & Air Conditioning is your full-service source for year-round comfort. Ask us about more ways to generate long-term energy savings in your Los Angeles area home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy savings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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