Winter's on the way - will you be warm?
  - energy saving tips by Cooper Heating and Cooling, Inc.

Before we know it, winter's chill will replace the warm Indian Summer. But there's still time to make your home snug and cozy before autumn foliage gives way to bare branches. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Tune up your furnace For top heating efficiency and reliable performance, have your furnace serviced every three to five years (annually for units built before 1995).

• Replace furnace filters Make it a habit to replace your furnace filters monthly. Clogged filters require more energy and hinder heat distribution. And because 75 percent of service calls are related to filter problems, you'll actually save money with this simple and inexpensive preventive maintenance measure. (Hint: If you use your monthly Excel bill as a memory-jogger, you'll always remember to replace the filter.)

• Clear registers and grills Sometimes floor registers are accidentally covered during household chores or family activity, which impedes heat circulation. Check them monthly to be sure they are unobstructed (perhaps at the same time you change the furnace filter).

• Seal doors and windows Don't let that frigid winter wind steal heat from your home. Apply weatherstripping to window and door openings, and caulk any visible cracks. You will be toasty warm all winter, and your energy consumption will drop dramatically, too.

• Close crawl space vents Attic crawl spaces are often overlooked as heat-loss vents. So crawl up and close - and weatherstrip - the opening to keep precious heat inside your home, where it belongs.

• Insulate the water heater Install an insulating blanket around your water heater to prevent energy loss and keep water hotter longer. This simple, inexpensive measure can save as much as 10 percent on your energy bill year-round.

• Humidify your home Properly humidified air actually feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature, so humidifying can save money by lowering the thermostat. Your family will feel more comfortable at a lower temperature, and they'll have fewer dry-skin problems, too. Here's a bonus: your fine wood furniture and hardwood flooring will be less susceptible to cracking.

• Purify inside air When windows remain closed in winter, allergens, pollens, dust particles, dust mites, bacteria, viruses, molds, and other circulating irritants can cause colds and flu and trigger asthma attacks. An indoor air purification system linked to your heating system can help keep your family healthy throughout the long winter months.

You can easily perform most of these common-sense tips yourself and keep your house toasty on the coldest winter nights. And when you need expert service or want to upgrade or add to your heating system, Cooper Heating and Cooling can build a custom system using the finest, most energy-efficient products on the market. You may be surprised how affordable cozy can be!

 

Is Your Water Heater Energy Efficient?

   Many consumers buy water heaters based only on the size of the storage tank. But what is actually more important is the first hour rating (FHR) provided on the Energy Guide label. This is a measure of how much hot water the heater will deliver during busy hour. When you purchase a new water heater, think about your household’s largest demand and look for a unit with an FHR in the range.

    Also look for a water heater with the highest energy factor (EF) which measures the efficiency of the water heater. The EF is based on recovery efficiency, standby losses and cycling losses. The higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater. Electric water heaters have an EF ranging from 0.86 to 0.95; gas water heaters from 0.5 to 0.6, with a few high-efficiency models at around 0.8; oil water heaters from 0.7 to 0.85 and heat-pump water heaters from 1.5 to 2.0.

    It also helps to install your water heater in an area out of the cold. Also, try to minimize the length of the pipes that must be run to your bathroom, kitchen and laundry.

    Warranties on water heaters vary, so be sure to compare the warranties to make sure you are getting the best water heater for your money. When buying any water heater, be sure to check that little tag on the side to make sure you know what you are getting.