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Style Magazine

Home Energy

Jun 30, 2008 05:00PM ● By Super Admin

Conserving energy in your home doesn't have to mean spending a ton of money upgrading appliances, windows or solar panels. You can save energy simply by using your resources wisely. Here are a few tips:

Heating and Air Conditioning

Air filters need to be cleaned or replaced every one to three months to be effective, says Patrick Nell, who has owned Alta Heating and Air Conditioning in Newcastle for 18 years.

Nell recommends turning the unit off when not in use and changing thermostat settings to 80 degrees for cooling and 65 degrees for heating. "Even one degree makes a huge difference over the course of the summer."

So does air that escapes from ductwork. Older houses lose about 30 percent of their air through leaking ductwork in the attic or crawl space, while new houses might leak less than six percent, Nell says.

Homeowners should call a technician every few years to check their ductwork and the unit itself to avoid major repairs later. Patching the holes can reduce the amount of air lost by 15 percent.

Nell recommends that air vents be kept open, and to make sure that other objects do not block the airflow.

For more ideas for Home Energy Money Saving Tips, be sure to pick up this month's copy of Style-Roseville Granite Bay Rocklin edition. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email Gloria Schroeder at [email protected], or call her at 916-988-9888 x116.