Certain telltale
signs indicate
it's time to
consider
replacing
heating and
cooling
equipment, or
improving the
performance of
your overall
system. It may
be time to call
a professional
contractor to
help you make a
change if:
Your heat
pump or air
conditioner
is more than
10 years
old.
Consider
replacing
with ENERGY
STAR
qualified
equipment
that uses 20
percent less
energy than
new standard
models.
Your furnace
or boiler is
more than 15
years old.
Consider
replacing
with an
ENERGY STAR
qualified
furnace,
which is 15%
more
efficient
than a
conventional
furnace. If
you have a
boiler,
consider
replacing
with an
ENERGY STAR
qualified
boiler that
is 10% more
efficient
than a new,
standard
model.
Your
equipment
needs
frequent
repairs and
your energy
bills are
going up.
Your cooling
or heating
equipment my
have become
less
efficient.
Some rooms
in your home
are too hot
or too cold.
Improper
equipment
operation,
duct
problems or
inadequate
insulation
could be the
cause.
No one is
home for
long periods
of the day
and you do
not have a
programmable
thermostat.
Install an
ENERGY STAR
qualified
programmable
thermostat
or have a
good
contractor
install one
and instruct
you on its
use--to
start saving
energy and
money while
they're away
or sleeping.
Your home
has humidity
problems.
Poor
equipment
operation,
inadequate
equipment,
and leaky
ductwork can
cause the
air to be
too dry in
the winter
or too humid
in the
summer.
Your home
has
excessive
dust.
Leaky ducts
can pull
particles
and air from
attics,
crawl spaces
and
basements
and
distribute
them
throughout
your house.
Sealing your
ducts may be
a solution.
Your heating
or cooling
system is
noisy.
You could
have an
undersized
duct system
or a problem
with the
indoor coil
of your
cooling
equipment.
Your score
on the Home
Energy
Yardstick is
below five.
That means
your energy
use at home
is above
average and
you're
probably
paying more
than you
need to on
energy
bills.
