Here are 10 easy ways that you can get on the path toward going green in your San Joaquin Valley home.
- Shade your air conditioner. Planting trees to shade your outside A/C or heat pump condensing unit from the sun will prevent it from working harder than it should under the constantly beaming Fresno area sun (even during the winter).
- Turn your computer off when you’re not using it. Even if you’re only walking away for 20 minutes or so, powering off or hibernating your computer will amount to serious energy savings.
- Unplug your electronics. Your electronics (DVD player, TV, etc.) are using power when they aren’t in use. Using a power strip to switch them off will prevent them from draining power easier.
- Use your ceiling fans. A ceiling fan can help you warm your home in the winter (with the fan blades turning clockwise) and cool it in the summer (counter-clockwise).
- Update your shower heads. Since 1992, modern shower heads have been required by law to have a maximum water flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute.
- Use Energy Star approved fluorescent or LED lightbulbs. Energy Star certified lightbulbs are highly energy efficient and they last longer than other bulbs.
- Use cold or lukewarm water when possible. Cold water uses less energy than hot water, so use cold or lukewarm water when hot water’s not necessary.
- Insulate your fixtures. Home insulation is one of the best ways to be more energy efficient in the home. The attic is the easiest place to insulate and also the location that will give you the most energy-saving dividends from insulating.
- Brush your teeth with the water off. You’re not using the water when you’re actually brushing, so turn it off. This will a surprising amount of water.
- Change your HVAC filters regularly. This going green tip will help you use less energy when heating and cooling your home, improves indoor air quality, and is kinder to your system components.
For more tips about how to make going green a reality in your Fresno area home, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).