Reducing Summer Energy Bills Washington DC

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(NC)—Are you concerned about paying costly energy bills to keep your home air conditioned during the summer? It is possible to keep your cool without remortgaging your house.

The key is using energy wisely. Here are a few ways to keep your air conditioning equipment running efficiently while reducing your cooling costs.

• Keep grass clippings, leaves and other debris away from your outdoor air conditioning unit.

• Keep furniture, carpeting and draperies away from vents and grills in the home.

• Change or clean your system filter once a month (depending on the type of filter).

• Use a programmable thermostat that allows you to cool your home only when you need to.

• Keep west-facing drapes or shades drawn in the afternoon.

• In some cases, it may be advisable to keep your furnace fan running to keep air moving. Ceiling fans are even better, because they draw less power.

• Consider installing an attic ventilator – pulling hot air out of your home can keep your home cooler in the summer.

• Have your cooling system checked annually. Having a qualified service technician check your equipment will help ensure that your air conditioning works efficiently and will not let you down when the heat is on.

For further advice and for regular service, contact a cooling contractor who is a member of the Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). HRAI membership tells you that the company has the appropriate licenses to install and service the cooling equipment that they sell.

More information about locating an HRAI member company in your area is available online at www.hrai.ca or by calling 1-877-467-4724 (HRAI).

- News Canada