PUMP UP YOUR COOLING SYSTEM
- If your cooling system is more than 12 years old – or you’re looking to upgrade for the summer, replace it with an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump. Heat pumps work great for cooling, too, and are super-efficient for year-round savings and home comfort. During the summer months, the heat pump serves as a central air conditioner and reduces cooling costs compared to a conventional air conditioner. In the winter months, a heat pump can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electrical energy it consumes, costing less to operate than traditional HVAC equipment such as furnaces, boilers, or electric resistance heat. It can also help you transition from fossil fuels for a cleaner, healthier home. Replacing your central AC with a heat pump does not require renovation or an electrical panel upgrade, and can be done for a modest extra cost compared to the installation of a standalone AC system. Learn more about Loup’s heat pump incentives.
- Have your system serviced annually by an HVAC contractor to ensure that it’s running at optimum efficiency to save energy and money. Get a $30 incentive when you tune up your AC.
- Make sure you check your system’s air filters every month. A dirty air filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool—wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system, which can lead to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
GET SMART ABOUT YOUR THERMOSTAT
A smart thermostat that has earned the ENERGY STAR label is the perfect way to control your temperature settings to save energy and money.
They’re called smart because they learn your family’s preferences for heating and cooling without you having to program them like old programmable thermostats. Plus, they take the guess work out of what settings will optimize for comfort and energy savings, adjusting the temperature in your home throughout the day to fit your needs and save money on energy bills. Families with high energy use can save $100 per year.
Get up to $100 when you install a smart thermostat.
SEAL & INSULATE TO KEEP COOL
You could save up to $190 a year by sealing air leaks around your house and adding insulation. In most homes, the attic is easy to access and improving it has the biggest benefit. A good insulation contractor will start by sealing air leaks and then will add insulation to the recommended level on top. Get up to $500 (30¢/square foot) when you install attic insulation.
REPLACE THOSE OLD WINDOWS
Old windows make it hard to keep your home comfortable and will drive up cooling costs. ENERGY STAR certified windows have invisible coatings that block solar heat. Replacing your old windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows can lower household energy bills by a national average of 12 percent—that’s more than $200. Plus, you’ll have improved comfort, all year long.
BE A FAN OF FANS
Ceiling fans are great for moving the cool air around the room and creating a nice breeze in the summer. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower your air conditioning costs by up to 14%. Remember, ceiling fans cool you, not the room. So, turn them off when you leave the room. Need a new fan? ENERGY STAR certified ceiling fans with lights are 60% more efficient than standard fans with lights.
TAX CREDITS & REBATES
In addition to Loup’s EnergyWise incentives, you may be eligible for tax credits and rebates for heat pumps and other energy efficiency upgrates. Visit the Energy.gov site to learn more.
— Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR program.