TIPS

• You should seriously consider purchasing new equipment if your equipment is older and you experience a breakdown leading to a large repair bill.

• Maybe you don't need a new A/C system. You can still take steps to save money. A very easy and important tip is to regularly change the air filter. Otherwise, that dirty filter restricts air flow and causes your system to run inefficiently.

• Keep the outside condenser coil clean.

• Invest in some insulation

• Have a seasonal air conditioning checkup. If your air conditioning system is not properly charged, it will not cool efficiently. Then all summer long you could be using unnecessary electricity. Be sure and have your air conditioner checked.

• Check the duct system. No matter how well your air conditioner is working, if your duct system is leaking it is heating and cooling your attic, not your house. Some older homes might have deteriorating duct runs. A qualified A/C technician should check your duct work as part of a preseason air conditioning checkup.

• Use ceiling fans. Ceiling fans cool the person, not the room. The temperature in the room will not change, so if you are not in the room, turn the fan off.

• In the winter, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable (as high as is comfortable in summer)

• Clean warm air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.

• Make sure areas with windows and doors are completely sealed at all times. Although they are closed, windows and doors tend to lose heat.

• Caulk windows to seal air in preventing heat loss, and resulting in huge money savings.

• Be conservative when using kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans (in just 1 hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air). Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.

• Keep draperies and shades open on south-facing windows during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home; close them during the summer to keep cool.

• Select energy-efficient equipment when you buy new heating equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage.