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The Last Item on Your Audit: Maintaining Your Furnace/Air Conditioning

Throughout these last few lessons, we've mentioned several times that heating (and cooling) make up the largest part of home energy use on average. After checking for air leaks, and making sure that you've got proper insulation levels, the last thing you want to do is check your heating and cooling equipment to make sure it's running at optimal efficiency.

The Depart of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy division suggests the following steps in keeping the furnace and air conditioning running well:

1. If you have a forced air furnace, check the filters monthly, and replace when clogged. Permanent filters are a greener option: instead of throwing them away, rinse out the gunk, and put them back in.
2. Have a professional inspect your equipment annually.
3. Check your ductwork for dirt streaks, especially near seams. These indicate air leaks, and they should be sealed with a duct mastic.
4. Insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces. An insulation R-Value of 6 is the recommended minimum.
5. Finally, if your equipment is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing it. A new unit is certain to be more energy-efficient, especially if your existing furnace or air conditioner is in poor condition.

Your Action for Today:
Schedule Your Heating/Cooling Equipment Maintenance

Maintaining your heating and cooling equipment is largely a matter of making a schedule for routine maintenance, much like with your car. So, plan it out:

• Pick a day of the month to check filters, and check for leaks.
• Pick a month each year to schedule a service call from a professional.
• Periodically, check the shape of the insulation on ducts and pipes.

Record the schedule you create in your Green Journal.

Tomorrow: Car Shopping Made Greener

Sincerely,

The GO Team
GreenOptions.com

An Ounce of Prevention...

You've already learned that adjusting your driving habits can lower both your carbon emissions and your gasoline spending. You'll get the most out of these habits, though, if you also keep your car maintained for optimal efficiency.

For the most part, we're not talking about maintenance that requires much mechanical know-how. The US Department of Energy and EPA's FuelEconomy.gov site (you've been there) lists four regular actions you should take to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. You can accomplish two of them easily yourself:

• Keep your tires properly inflated: this can raise your fuel efficiency by as much as 3.3%. You'll also save money on tires, as they last longer when they're properly inflated.
• Check and replace your air filter: a clean air filter can increase your fuel economy by up to 10% -- that's equivalent to saving $.23/gallon of gas. Air filters also keep gunk from getting into your car's engine, which help it last longer.

The other two steps may require the help of a mechanic:

• Use the recommended weight of motor oil in your car: this will save increase your fuel economy by 1-2%; oil labeled "Energy Conserving" contains additives that reduce friction.
• Keep your car tuned up: on average, fixing an engine that needs retuning can increase fuel efficiency by 4%. Fixing other mechanical problems can have a much more dramatic effect: up to a 40% increase.

Your Action for Today:
Create a Maintenance Schedule

1. Check the air pressure in your tires (you might want to buy an air pressure gauge to keep in your glove box). If they're under inflated, add air to the recommended pressure (which is generally listed in the owner's manual and/or inside the driver-side door). Commit to checking your air pressure monthly - write it on the calendar (and in your Green Journal).
2. Check your air filter. If it appears dirty and clogged, replace it. How do you know if it's dirty or clogged: shine a flashlight on it, inside to out. If you see little to no light, it needs replacing. You generally want to replace the air filter every 12-15,000 miles.
3. For mechanical maintenance, it's best to follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

Tomorrow: Green Your Wardrobe

Sincerely,

The GO Team
GreenOptions.com