Cooperative Living March/April 2021 - 30

SmartConnect | by Susan Gilbert, Contributing Columnist
Preparation Pays
Seasonal tips and tricks to trim your energy expenditures
A
s we bid farewell to winter for another year, this is
a great time to get your home ready for the inevitable
summer heat and humidity to come. Doing so can
make your home more comfortable and save you some
money on energy bills. Here are some ideas to consider.
SPRING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
This change of season, as we go from heating to cooling,
is a good reminder to change your filters. Left unchanged,
they block airflow, causing the system to work harder and
making your home less comfortable.
This is also the best time to have your cooling system
serviced. Scheduling now during the contractors' slower
months has some advantages. Getting a convenient
appointment time is one, plus your system will be in peak
operating form when you do need it, which is good for the
system ... and your wallet. Given that heating and cooling
make up half of most homes' energy bills, there is money
to be saved. Plus, preventive maintenance avoids costly
emergency calls during the peak cooling time when
contractors are busy.
An additional
tip - close drapes
or blinds on sunny
days to keep the
sun from heating
the room.
During a service, the contractor will inspect the air
conditioner and air-handler blower assembly for proper
operation, electrical functions and condensate drainage. The
contractor also should check the system's refrigerant level.
Keep in mind, if the refrigerant level is low, your contractor
should check for a leak, not just replace the refrigerant. If it
is determined that there is a leak, your contractor will either
fix it or replace the component that is leaking.
SEAL LEAKS
Another way to save on utility costs and increase the
comfort of your home is by improving its airtightness. That
means keeping the inside air in and the outside air out. Holes
made for plumbing and wires allow air and pests to enter your
home. Look for holes from inside the house starting with
under sinks and behind toilets, and seal them with caulk or
expanding spray foam.
Look too for holes in your basement or crawl space ceiling
under bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, and where
wiring or plumbing goes into walls. Smaller holes can be
sealed with caulk and expanding spray foam. Larger holes,
typically around toilets and pipes, may require using a solid
material such as foam board or plywood. If you have a
fireplace, one large hole can be its flue. Make sure that its
damper is closed for the summer.
WHAT ABOUT THAT THERMOSTAT?
While you are thinking about your cooling system, take
a look at the thermostats that control its operation. Are they
old-style ones that simply hold the temperature you set?
If so, consider more modern, smart thermostats that allow
you to schedule varying temperatures based on your lifestyle.
Your thermostat gives you control of your energy savings,
which can be about 3% on your cooling bill for each degree
that you raise the setpoint. Smart thermostats can be set to
automatically raise the cooling setpoint when you are away
from home or when your electricity rates are higher.
Try some additional actions to improve comfort. For
instance, closing drapes or blinds on sunny days will keep
the sun from heating the room, and using a ceiling fan will
cool people in a room. Just remember to turn off the fan
when the room is unoccupied.
As you enjoy the mild temperatures of these spring
months, let them be a reminder to you that preparing for
summer pays off in lower cooling bills, comfort and peace
of mind. ■
Susan Gilbert is CEO of Apogee Interactive Inc., which works with
many Virginia and Maryland electric cooperatives on energy analysis
and member satisfaction.
28 | Cooperative Living | March-April 2021
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Cooperative Living March/April 2021

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