- Cooling & Heating set to uncomfortable temperatures.
- The Water Heater set so low that it runs out of hot water.
- Sitting in a dark house.
Air-Filter MERV Ratings — And Their Effect On Air-Flow Through The HVAC System
- MERV is the air filter’s efficiency-rating. MERV stands for: “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value”. MERV ranges from 1 to 20.
- A MERV-1 air filter is made of spun fiberglass. These are designed to protect the HVAC System — and do little to clean the air.
Shown: MERV-1 Spun-Fiberglass Air Filter
Image Source: Amazon Associates Embedded-Link
- A MERV-8 air filter removes particles as small as 3 microns in size — and catches at least 70% of these particles.
- Particles up to 3 microns size-range include; pollen, dust mites, and mold spores.
- The Energy Star Indoor Air Package & the U.S. Department Of Energy (DOE) — call for a minimum of MERV-8.
- The higher the Air Filter’s MERV Rating –the lower the air-flow through the furnace.
- When an air filter is new — reduction in air-flow is is minimal with higher MERV rated filters.
- The higher the MERV rating — the faster the filter clogs. Why? A more efficient filter catches more particles within the air.
- The reduction in air-flow through air filters can more than triple when they nearly clogged.
- Lower air-flow causes the HVAC System to run longer & harder — increasing cooling & heating costs — and wearing it out faster.
Source: http://www.homeenergy.org/show/article/nav/issues/page/4/id/667
NOTE: If you use a high MERV air filter — check it weekly. If your furnace is in the attic — this is a lot of trouble and likely to be skipped. If this is the case, you’re likely better off with a lower MERV filter.
Both the Energy Star Air Package & the U.S. DOE recommend a MERV-8 air filter (or higher) — this is a good guide.
Energy-Use Behavior: Have Cooling-Coil’s Cleanliness Checked — And Cleaned If Needed.
Checking This Coil Is Typically Part Of A Spring A/C Tune-Up — (cleaning is often an extra charge).
NOTE: If you bought a used home — have Central A/C & Furnace Tune-Up at the beginning of the first cooling and heating season. Then you’ll know the HVAC System’s maintenance is up to date. Many of the photos in this section show neglected HVAC Systems.
Shown In this Photo — The A/C Cooling Coil (evaporator coil) Is On The Right Side Of The Furnace’s Opening.
Image Source: ShutterStock
Click Here To See A Clogged Central A/C Cooling Coil: Clogged A/C Cooling Coil
Click Here To See A Molded Cooling Coil: Molded A/C Cooling Coil
Click Here To See A New Indoor Cooling Coil: NEW Central A/C Cooling Coil (evaporator coil)
Click Here To See An: Indoor Cooling Coil That Is Completely Frozen — Due To Lack Of Air Flow Through It
** Source: https://www.airah.org.au/Content_Files/TechnicalPublications/hvac-factsheet-cleaning-coils-09-13.pdf
The indoor cooling-coil (evaporator coil) is inside the furnace or ductwork — and can’t be seen without removing a panel. The cooling coil removes heat & humidity from air as it passes through. Because the coil is wet anytime the A/C is running — it catches dust quickly and easily. ALL air passing through the HVAC System must pass through this coil year-round.
Even the best furnace air filters allow some dust through. If they were 100% efficient — so little air could pass through them that the HVAC System could not function.
Shown: Outdoor A/C Unit
Image Source: DreamsTime
Example: A 5-ton air conditioning system, with typical efficiency — runs 1,500 hrs during a cooling season.
It costs $825 to operate this system with clean coils.
With a dirty coil in the outdoor unit — the cost to operate the system increases by +37% to $1,125. **
NOTE: Savings from a clean HVAC Sytem extends beyond cooling costs savings. It also makes the HVAC System last longer. Dirty HVAC System components cause the System to run longer and harder. If a dirty outside unit decreases cooling capacity by 30% — it stands to reason the system must run +30% longer for the same amount of cooling. This causes it to wear out 30% sooner.
** Source: https://www.achrnews.com/articles/85141-clean-coils-make-dollars-and-sense
Let’s Do The Math
If A Central A/C System Has:
- +15%: Clogged air filter
- +16%: Dirty indoor coiling coil
- +35%: Dirty outside unit coil
- These 3 neglected components increase cooling costs by up to +65%!
- That also means the A/C System must run +65% longer — and it’s wearing out +65% faster .
Energy-Use Behavior: Keep Your HVAC System Properly Maintained.
This includes a Central A/C Spring Tune-Up & Fall Furnace Tune Up Each Year.
This will maximize efficiency — and can identify components that are close to failing.
Replacing failing components at Tune-Up time can prevent breakdowns when the need the HVAC System most.
Water Heating Represents Up To 14% Of Total Energy Use
Image Source: ShutterStock
How To Reduce Water Heating Costs
Residential Water Heating Is 14% Of Total Household Energy Costs.
Electric Water Heating Cost Is About 65% Higher Than Gas.
Energy-Use Behavior: Reduce Water Heater Thermostat to 120 ºF.
For each additional 10ºF (over 120ºF) — water heating costs increase by 3% (gas water heater) or 5% (electric). Water heaters are set to 120ºF at the factory when new.
- Add a Water Heater Blanket to reduce water heating costs by 7%–16%. NOTE: Higher savings occurs if water heater is located in the garage or attic.
- NOTE: For electric water heaters — don’t cover where you set the thermostats (or mark where they are).
- NOTE: For natural gas units — don’t cover the water heater’s top, or vents at the burner compartment (see photo above.)
Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/services/do-it-yourself-energy-savings-projects/savings-project-insulate-your-water
Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/15-ways-save-your-water-heating-bill
Energy-Use Behavior: Use Cold Water For Laundry When Appropriate
- Use cold water for laundry when possible. Set rinse temperature to cold (most newer washers only allow cold rinse).
- Fix dripping faucets. A leak of 1 drip per second increases gas water heating costs by $1 per month, per faucet.
- Going on vacation? Give your water heater a vacation too.
- Turn a gas water heater to “pilot”. Turn off an electric water heater at the circuit-breaker panel.
Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/15-ways-save-your-water-heating-bill
Lighting Represents Up To 10% Of Total Energy Use
Image Source: Pexels.com
Energy-Use Behavior: Switch To LED Bulbs.
- A 100 watt incandescent light bulb generates 341 BTU of heat per hour. 90% of its electricity use generates heat.
- Eight 100-watt incandescent light bubs generate as much heat as a typical electric heater set to low.
- During summer, your A/C must then remove the heat the light bulb adds.
- A 100 watt-output Compact Fluorescent Bulb (CFL) creates 102 BTU per hour. 35% of its electricity use generates heat.
- A 100 watt-output LED creates 3.4 BTU per hour. 10% of its electricity use generates heat.
- If you are using incandescent or halogen bulbs — you’ll reduce lighting energy-use by up to 90% with LED lighting.
- This could reduce Lighting Energy Consumption from 10% to as low as 1%.
- You will also lower cooling costs — because LED bulbs produce only 10% of the heat as incandescent light bulbs produce.
Click Here To See A Comparison Photo Of LED Lighting Colors: Lighting Color-Range For LED Bulbs
Refrigeration Consumes Up To 7% Of Total Household Energy Use
The Removable Grill Is Located Just Below The Doors
Image Source: Pexels.com
Energy-Use Behavior: Replace A 15+ Years Old Refrigerator.
- Refrigerators 15 years or older use twice as much energy as a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator.
- Get A Free Refrigerator. Over the life of the new refrigerator — it may pay for itself in energy savings.
- The more electricity a refrigerator uses, the more heat it produces. The you pay for the A/C to remove that heat.
Source: https://www.energystar.gov/products/appliances/nows_time_flip_your_fridge_and_save
Energy-Use Behavior: Keep The Coil (at bottom of refrigerator) Clean.
- A clean coil reduces refrigeration costs by up to -30%.
- Do this annually if you don’t have shedding pets.
- With shedding pets, do this every six months.
Click Here To See: A Dirty Refrigerator Coil — Before & After Cleaning.
Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/refrigerator-cleaning-tips_b_2067458
Most newer refrigerators have a removable grill under the refrigerator door(s). The coil is located behind the grill. Coil are accessible from the front — so you don’t have to pull the refrigerator out to clean the coil.
- A vacuum cleaner crevice-tool removes most dust.
Click To See A Refrigerator Coil Being Cleaned With A Vacuum Cleaner Crevice Tool: Cleaning Coil With Crevice Tool
- If you can’t get the the entire coil with a crevice tool — purchase a brush designed to clean refrigerator coils.
Click Here To See A Refrigerator Coil Being Cleaned With A Coil-Brush: Refrigerator Coil Cleaning Brush
Energy-Use Behavior: Full Refrigerators Run Less.
- When the refrigerator has open space — the cool air escapes whenever the door is open.
Energy-Use Behavior: Refrigerators Are An Expensive Source Of Light.
- Are you one of the folks who open the refrigerator take something out, use it and return it without ever closing the refrigerator door? It takes only 10 seconds for most of the chilled air to exit your refrigerator while the door is open.
Energy-Use Behavior: Hot & Cold Don’t Mix.
- When saving left-overs, leave them out until they are room-temperature. Putting hot food the refrigerator makes it run more.
Energy-Use Behavior: Do You Have A Hog In Your Garage?
Keep your old refrigerator or freezer in a Texas garage causes it to run nearly all the time during summer. You can buy a compact freezer or refrigerator that can be kept inside the home without taking much space. Because it’s new — it’s as efficient as you can get at this time. And it won’t have to operate in extreme temperatures. Even if the compact freezer or refrigerator must be in the garage — it will use a fraction of the energy of a 15+ years old refrigerator or freezer.
Shown: 4.4 Cubic Foot Upright Freezer
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details or Purchase From Amazon.com
Shown: 3.2 Cubic Foot Refrigerator
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details or Purchase From Amazon.com
VCR’s & Related Equipment Represent Up To 7% Of Total Household Energy Use
Image Source: ShutterStock
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Your dryer pulls its air from inside the house and exhausts it outdoors. This is air you’ve paid to cool or heat. The dryer create heats, uses energy, and exhausts large quantities of air from the house while pulling in outdoor air.
- Electric clothes dryers consume 4,000 to 6,000 watts.
Energy-Use Behavior: Clean the dryer lint-trap each time you use the dryer.
- A dirty lint screen reduces air flow and increases drying time. Plus, built up lint is a fire hazard.
Energy-Use Behavior: Open the window nearest the dryer.
- It will then use outdoor air instead of (cooled or heated) indoor air.
- Clothes dryers exhaust 100 — 225 Cubic Feet Per Minute.
- A 2,000 square foot home with 8 foot ceilings contains 16,000 cubic feet of air.
- It takes a clothes dryer as little as 71 minutes remove the entire home’s air.
- Replacement air comes into the home at every leak.
- Then the HVAC System must cool or heat another 16,000 cubic feet of air.
Pool Pump & Pool Heater
Energy-Use Behavior: Install A Pool Cover if you heat the pool 24/7.
** Source: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/cost-comparison-running-electric-vs-gas-pool-heater-103068.html
*4 Source: http://www.inyopools.com/Blog/long-take-heat-pool/
*5 Source: http://www.inyopools.com/HowToPage/how_to_reduce_your_pool_pump_energy_bill.aspx?CommentPage=1