Jennings Oil & Propane Summer Energy Efficiency Checklist

Summer is in full swing here in the New Haven area, which means our air conditioners are working overtime to keep us cool – and you’re paying for every minute of that overtime.

If you want to keep those energy bills as low as possible, here is a list of things you can do to up the efficiency in your Connecticut home.

Cooling system

• Get routine annual maintenance to keep your equipment running efficiently and reliably

Vents

• Close air conditioning vents in low-use rooms and in the basement
• Clear obstructions from in front of vents to ensure proper airflow
• Check your A/C filter every month, replacing or cleaning it (depending on the model) as often as necessary

Heating system

• Beat the late summer crowds and have your heating system maintained
• If you’re considering having your heating oil- or propane-fired heating system upgraded, summer is a great time to do it – you’ll get your pick of appointment times and some great incentives, too.

Thermostat

• The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends targeting a thermostat setting of 78 degrees when people in the house to get the best balance of comfort and energy savings; raise the thermostat six or seven degrees when no one is home to save up to 10 percent on your bill.
• If you haven’t installed a programmable thermostat, do it – the investment will pay for itself in a single year, then give you a great way to save 10 percent or more on your bills for the life of your heating and cooling equipment.

Doors

• Keep doors closed between conditioned and unconditioned spaces
• Seal interior doors to keep cool air from escaping into unconditioned spaces
• Weatherize exterior doors (and windows – see below) to prevent heat from entering the house
• If you don’t have air conditioning, keep interior doors open as much as possible to promote cross ventilation (run ceiling fans, too – see below)

Windows

• Clean window tracks so windows will seal properly
• Caulk exterior window frames to keep heat from entering the house
• If you don’t have A/C, keep windows open as much as possible to promote cross ventilation

Window treatments

• Consider adding reflective or insulated window treatments to prevent solar gain; you can learn more about energy efficient window treatments on the D.O.E. website

Generator

• If you have a propane whole house generator, have it inspected and serviced; run it at least once during the summer to make sure it works properly
• Keep enough propane on hand to power it during a one-week power outage

Attic

• Consider adding insulation to stabilize your home climate and help your A/C
• Use an attic fan to circulate and vent rising hot air from the house

Dehumidifier

• If you have a whole house dehumidifier, have it serviced to keep humidity in the 30-50 percent range throughout your home

Ceiling fans

• Run ceiling fans to keep air circulating, especially if you have A/C; by doing so you can raise your thermostat by three to four degrees with no loss in comfort
• Reset the direction of your fan blades to draw cooler air up into the room rather than pushing hot air back down (see manufacturer’s instructions for how to reverse the direction of your fan blades)

Alarms

• Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors; replace batteries if needed

Fireplace

• Close your fireplace damper to prevent heat from entering through the chimney

Want to find more ways to save on energy bills throughout the year? We can help. Contact us today to learn more about high efficiency equipment installations, plus whole-house propane conversions and more!