In typical houses, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. If you have return duct leaks, you could be pumping “bad air” directly into your living space. Leaky ducts also cause indoor air quality problems because of pressure imbalances. This can cause unhealthy air (laden with dirt, dust, pollen, allergens, and other contaminants) to be sucked into your home. Pressure imbalances can also cause back drafting in combustion appliances such as furnaces, wood stoves, and gas ranges. When this happens, you risk exposure to carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. Search online for a company that can provide diagnostic testing and servicing for ductwork.
Replace old heating and/or cooling system components with an efficient/ENERGY STAR® certified alternative
If a professional evaluation reveals that it’s time to upgrade your heating or cooling system, it is worth researching the many diverse options available today—air, water, and geothermal heat pumps; wood, pellet, and corn stoves; natural gas and oil fueled furnaces and boilers; radiant floor and panel heating; air and liquid active solar heating, central or ductless mini-split air conditioners—to name a few. Read the Energy Savers heating and cooling guide, enter “home heating systems” in your internet browser, or work with an HVAC contractor to determine the right system for your home
An ENERGY STAR® air conditioner can help you to achieve up to 27% energy savings per year and up to $1,000 in lifetime energy savings. Utility company or manufacturer rebates may also be available, such as Potomac Edison appliance rebates.
Potomac Edison offers HVAC rebates for high-efficiency central air conditioners,air-to-air heat pumps,ductless mini-split heat pumps, adn Energy Star geothermal heat pumps.
Washington Gas has rebates for natural gas furnaces, programmable thermostats, and WiFi enabled programmable thermostats.
Install an Energy Star certified electric Heat Pump Water Heater
Water heaters are often the second highest energy user in the home. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR certified Heat Pump Water Heater to save energy, save money, and help protect our climate. Investing in a planned replacement NOW can lock in big energy savings and help avoid a potential costly clean up when your old water heater fails. Heat pump water heaters come in both electric and gas models. While they may cost more to purchase, a heat pump water heater costs less to operate and can reduce your utility bills.
To see how heat pump water heaters work and how ENERGY STAR certified models can help you save on your utility bills, watch this short video: "ENERGY STAR Water Heaters Mean BIG Savings!"
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