Cooperative Living January 2014 - 12

ENERGY BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
CURRENTS
Keep It Clean
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULARLY CHANGING YOUR FURNACE FILTERS
Any qualified HVAC experts
worth their salt will tell you that the
easiest, yet most important way to
keep furnaces working as efficiently
as possible is to change air
filters on a regular basis.
Ideally, they should be replaced
(or at least checked) every month,
especially in the winter and summer
when your system is used the
most. If the surface of the filter has
darkened, put in a new one. At the
very minimum, they need to be
changed every three months.
Smoking indoors, having pets and
other factors require filters to be
changed more frequently.
Why is changing a furnace
filter so important? The reasons
are many, and some may surprise
you. A clean filter prevents dust,
dirt and other particles from building
up in your system, which allows
it to run smoothly. The amount
of debris captured by the filter
increases over time. Eventually, it
becomes so dirty that it hampers
airflow. Your system is then forced
to work harder and harder to
move the amount of air necessary
to maintain your desired home
temperature. The amount of additional
energy your furnace has to
draw under these conditions is
significant, which can result in
higher utility bills.
Easily avoidable emergency
maintenance can be even more
damaging to your bank account.
The strain dirty
filters create
is generally
the numberone
cause
of motor
burn out,
overheating
and even total
system failure.
10
And it's not just the health of your
furnace that's affected by dirty
filters.
A clean filter removes most of the
dust, pet dander, pollen particles
and mold spores that would otherwise
be in the air breathed by you
and your family. Some filters even
trap microscopic contaminants like
bacteria, particles that carry viruses,
and soot. This higher air quality is
especially crucial for the very young,
the elderly and those with asthma or
allergies. It's also been found that
cleaner air helps prevent certain
breathing problems from developing
in the first place.
REMEMBER NOT TO FORGET!
Changing a filter is easily done,
but consult your unit's manual if you
need guidance. The toughest part
may be remembering to do it. Here
are some suggestions to help you
stay on it.
* Check your filter when you
receive your electric bill.
* When replacing a filter, write the
date on the filter with a
permanent marker. That way you
can always see how long it has
been inside.
* Add a reminder on your phone
or computer calendar. Even a
good old-fashioned wall calendar
will do!
* Keep extra filters on hand so
you're prepared to replace them
if necessary, without having to
make a special trip.
With good filter habits, you'll
keep your furnace working the way
it should and save money while
protecting the health of you and
your family. You can shop for filters
by visiting energizeefficently.coop
or at hardware and home improvement
stores near you.
When it comes to furnace filters,
change is good! 
HERE'S TO A BRIGHT 2014!
The confetti has settled on another
holiday season. It's still early, but if you're
still going strong with your New Year's
resolution, congratulations - they can be
challenging. And there's a phrase out
there that says, " good things don't come
easy. " But using energy efficiently is a
good thing that can come easy. Here are
some simple things you can do to make
your home more energy efficient.
LIGHTING: Perhaps one of the easiest
ways to increase energy efficiency. It can
be as simple as changing a light bulb.
* Upgrade to CFLs or LEDs. They come
in a wide variety and are more versatile
than ever. Both are far more efficient
than traditional incandescent
bulbs. They also last much longer,
which cuts down on the chore of
changing them out.
* For outdoor lighting, use photocell
units, which automatically turn on
when it gets dark. Motion sensor lighting
is another great option. A combined
motion sensor and photocell unit
is the best of both worlds.
* Keep lighting levels low when brighter
light isn't necessary. Mood lighting is
efficient lighting!
HEATING AND COOLING: Avoiding air
leaks can go a long way in keeping your
home a comfortable temperature efficiently,
especially as we find ourselves in
the middle of the coldest months of the
year.
* Having proper insulation in attics,
crawl spaces and other areas can help
cut home energy bills significantly.
Think of it as a blanket for your home!
* Windows are frequent culprits of pesky
air leaks. Stop the bleeding with caulk,
sealing or weatherstripping.
* Clean or change your furnace filters
once a month, or as needed.
* Close fireplace dampers when not in
use. Chimneys are designed to allow
smoke to escape. Unless dampers are
closed in the winter, it's warm air that
will do the escaping. Don't let it.
Cooperative Living/January 2014
http://www.energizeefficently.coop
Cooperative Living January 2014

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