As your full service comfort company, we care about saving you energy, money, time - and maybe even some headaches. So, here are some tips and resources to help you along the way.
The best way to "go green" - and save money - is by maximizing your fuel efficiency. At Taylor & Murphy, we are conservation experts, and we help many customers upgrade their heating systems to maximize efficiency and minimize emissions. When you replace an older heating system with a high-efficiency model, you can reduce consumption by 30% or more. We can also help you with smaller conservation steps like installing a programmable thermostat or a new energy-saving burner control.
One "green" move we recommend to all our customers is to get their heating system tuned before cold weather comes. A well-tuned system uses 5% less fuel and burns cleaner, with reduced emissions. Your Taylor & Murphy service plan may include your annual tune-up.
Follow these warm weather and cold weather energy-saving tips and you'll find a decrease in your annual energy bills.
Correct air leaks around windows, doors and electrical outlets.- Repair weather stripping and caulking.
- Replace any cracked glass in your windows.
- Make sure your ceiling has at least six inches of insulation.
- Wrap your pipes to guard against heat loss and freezing.
- Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.
- Check the threshold for any gaps between it and the door; use a bottom seal that can be attached to the door to stop drafts.
- Get a heating system tune-up before the heating season begins.
- Keep ductwork in good repair with duct insulation.
- Remove air conditioning units from windows.
- Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors when not in use.
Keep the coils of your central or window air conditioner free of dust and dirt.- Make sure the output of your air conditioner is right for the size of your room or house to ensure optimum efficiency and comfort.
- Change or clean your air conditioning filter monthly during the cooling season to improve efficiency and the life of your air conditioner.
- Look for an air conditioning unit that is ENERGY STAR® approved.
- Cook on the grill to keep cooking heat outside the home.
- Install reflective window coatings to reflect heat away from your home.
- During the day, block the heat from the sun by closing windows, doors and curtains.
- During the hot summer afternoons, avoid using appliances.
- Open windows on cool summer days and nights. A good rule of thumb is not to open windows when the outside temperature is warmer than the inside of your house.
Install a programmable thermostat. When used properly, it can shave $100 off your annual energy bills.- Use compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10-13 times longer than standard bulbs and use 75% less energy.
- Choose a high-efficiency water heater. An indirect oil-fired water heater produces an almost endless supply of hot water with a very fast recovery time.
- Keep your oven door closed! Every time you open the oven door, the oven temperature can drop 25 degrees. Use the oven light or a timer to avoid wasting energy.
- Wash clothes in the coolest water possible — 80% of the cost to run your washer is used for heating the water.
- Install dimmers and motion sensors wherever possible.
- Take showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water; filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.
- Clean refrigerator coils once a year to extend the life of your fridge.
- Choose a high-efficiency dishwasher — they use 25% less energy than conventional models.
- Since your dryer retains heat, dry loads back-to-back.
For more conservation advice, please visit these helpful websites:
