What You can do to Help...

You don't need to start a new organization in your town, or donate hundreds to a local Green project. Although these things would be nice, they aren't always feasible, and there are simple inexpensive things for you to do that will make a significant difference.

For instance, if every household in the United States replaced one regular lightbulb with one of those new compact fluorescent bulbs, the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one million cars from the road. ONE light bulb! That is amazing! Check out our links section for more helpful simple tips.

Energy Efficiency in Heating and Cooling

As mentioned before, over half the energy consumption in your home comes from your heating and air conditioning system. OVER HALF! Here are some things to consider about the efficiency of your home:

1. Downsize Your Equipment: Replacing older inefficient equipment with high-efficiency systems, you are able to downsize to a system that's properly sized for your home.



2. Go with a Heat Pump: Heat pumps are one of the best options, as they currently offer the highest efficiencies of any heating and cooling system available today. Studies emphasize the potential for heat pumps, and manufacturers are offering more options for customers as a result. Read more here.



3. Get Higher SEER/EER Rating: Equipment with higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings are designed to save money and reduce energy consumption by significant amounts.



4. Have a QIV Performed: Quality Installation Verification (QIV) analysis checks for proper refrigerant charge and air flow of the central air conditioner or heat pump systems. One of our COOL SMART trained air conditioning technicians tests the system while it's running and takes a series ofmeasurements which are analyzed via computer. Within a few minutes you know how your system is performing. This ensures quality and energy savings!



5. Replace your furnace or air handler filters on a regular basis: One of the biggest causes of system breakdowns and costly repair bills is the lack of regular filter changes and maintenance. Dirty filters restrict air flow, which reduces system efficiency, thus using more energy.



6. Use a programmable thermostat: These automatically raise and lower your temperature for set periods to save energy. Also, if you want to achieve a temperature change rather quickly, do not set the thermostat temperature lower than the desired temperature (and never below 70°F). The system cools at the same rate regardless of the temperature setting.