Sealing Homes After Winter’s Wrath was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Consider indoor environment devices like programmable thermostats. Programmable thermostats are capable of controlling the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system – from heating to indoor air quality and energy management.

“Adjusting the temperature up and down doesn’t equate to savings or even comfort in the home,” said Jonathan Payne, product manager of programmable controls at Carrier. “The key to total comfort is the homeowner’s ability to control the temperature, humidity, air circulation and energy use.”

Although many homes have programmable thermostats, they may not be programmed or used properly. To truly realize the advantages of a programmable thermostat, consider these tips:

1.    Choose a thermostat that manages your system properly and efficiently. Select a thermostat that is not only easy for you to understand and program, but one that controls all of the equipment in your HVAC system, including an air purifier, humidifier, air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump.

2.    Have the HVAC control or thermostat installed by a Carrier authorized dealer or other HVAC expert to ensure the wiring and settings are configured to match the needs of your specific system.

3.    Choose a program that fits well with your lifestyle, and stick with it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), energy can be saved if you keep energy-saving set points activated for longer timeframes. So, you could leave home energy-saving set points on during the work/school day, or at night when family members are asleep, for instance.

4.    Avoid overuse of the temporary “hold” feature. If you consistently “hold” or over-ride the pre-programmed settings, you could be wasting energy. The EPA suggests that the “hold” and “vacation” settings should be set several degrees warmer and cooler in the summer and winter months, respectively, and only used when you’re away from home for an extended stay.

5.    Try not to achieve a quick fix. The EPA’s Proper Use Guidelines for Programmable Controls indicate that you will not heat or cool your house faster by adjusting the temperature on your thermostat to the extremes – up to 80 degrees or down to 30 degrees.

To learn more about Carrier programmable thermostats, call 1-800-CARRIER or visit www.residential.carrier.com.

Take Advantage of Programmable Thermostats to Maximize Energy Savings was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Hybrid heat or dual fuel systems deliver exceptional performance by using a heating source that provides its most energy-efficient comfort during moderate heating conditions. As the temperature drops outside, the system automatically switches to your second heating source when that becomes the most economical way to keep your family comfortable.

For instance, the Carrier Infinity Hybrid Heat system includes an Infinity 20 heat pump with Greenspeed intelligence and an Infinity 98 gas furnace with Greenspeed intelligence, managed by an Infinity control. It is more efficient than any gas furnace alone, because it allows the flow between electric and gas heating to optimize the economy of each fuel source.

“The rising price of gas and oil has spurred a great interest in alternative heating solutions,” says Rob Lambert, product manager and application engineer for Carrier’s residential cooling systems. “A Hybrid Heat system allows homeowners to save money on energy costs for years to come, since the system ‘balance point’ is set to help optimize each fuel source, depending on utility costs and weather conditions in your area.”

The secret behind a Hybrid Heat system is the heat pump. A heat pump operates as an air conditioner in hot weather but can also reverse the process and heat the home when cold weather arrives. Rather than burning fuel to generate heat, a heat pump moves heat without a flame. Since most heat pumps operate using electricity, it offers homeowners the flexibility and efficiency of electricity as an alternative fuel source.

With new technology available in the heating and cooling industry, now more homeowners can take advantage of systems that help them save money and provide home comfort.

Visit www.residential.carrier.com for more information on Hybrid Heat systems.

Get Better Heat, Save Money by Going Hybrid This Winter was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Being aware of your home’s carbon footprint takes targeted effort, but it can also save you money. Incorporating eco-friendly additions into your home can massively reduce energy bills and save on repairs.

According to CellularWindowShades.com, up to 24 percent of a fuel bill can escape out of leaky windows. But replacing windows can cost anywhere from $400 to $800 per window. Depending on the size of your house and the state of your windows, total cost could range from $3,000 to $10,000.

One affordable yet environmentally efficient option is insulating window shades. There’s some hesitation around insulating shades, but here are a few questions and explanations straight from the expert’s mouth.

    Q: Our windows are cold. Do we need to replace them, or can we use insulating shades?

A: If your windows are no longer functional, and your energy bills are off the charts, go with replacement windows. However, if they are simply old and cold, homeowners might want to consider high-quality insulating shades with side tracks that provide a four-sided seal. Shades like these will solve your heat-loss problems immediately.

Q: How do I know if insulated shades are the right option for my home?

A: Quality insulated shades are part of a good energy-conservation plan. After installing energy-efficient CFL bulbs, insulated shades are the next step. Mini-blinds can transfer the cold from your window into the room, increasing your energy costs by 10 percent. Insulating shades can reduce that by half.

    Q: What are the environmental benefits of using insulated shades?

A: Residential heating and cooling eat up more fossil fuels than any other sector. A shocking 50 percent slips through poorly insulated windows. Experts guage that the equivalent of 450 million barrels of oil could be saved every year if all windows in the U.S. had effective insulating shades. For more information, go to cellularwindowshades.com.

Want to Replace Your Windows? Not So Fast! was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

    Are certain types of light bulbs being banned?

The word “ban” is incorrect. While it is true that the 100-watt incandescent bulb will no longer be manufactured after January 2012, it is not a ban as much as it is a replacement. Products in every industry go through a similar process where something that is no longer efficient is replaced in the marketplace by a new model.

“The legislation is meant to improve the efficiency of lighting,” says Brian Brandes of light bulb manufacturer SATCO Products. “There is nothing in the law that stipulates that CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) are the mandatory replacement. The government is not telling consumers which type of bulb to buy.”

The new FTC Lighting Facts labels, which go into effect in January, will help educate consumers as to which lamp types are more efficient by showing the cost to operate per year based on a national average of 0.11 per kilowatt hour.

    What am I supposed to replace my 100-watt incandescent bulbs with after January?

There are several options:

•    One option is the 72-watt halogen-incandescent that is available now. It produces slightly less light than a 100-watt incandescent, but 72 watts is the standard that has been set by federal legislation for replacing the 100-watt models. It is also important to select a bulb with a “warm” color temperature such as 2,700K and 3,000K.

•    Another good choice, and the least-expensive option, would be a halogen or xenon hybrid that will just meet the efficiency requirements and minimum life ratings. These bulbs will look, light and dim just like the 100-watt versions they replace.

•    A halogen IR (infrared-coated) bulb will provide higher efficiency and three times longer life than a halogen-xenon bulb, but at approximately twice the price.

•    A 26-watt, medium-base CFL also offers the same amount of light as a 100-watt incandescent and uses one-quarter of the electricity. It will also last 10 times longer.

Still confused about the light bulb legislation and how to select the right bulb? Go to a local ALA-member lighting showroom for expert advice. Visit www.americanlightingassoc.com to find a nearby store.

ALA Brings Light to Revised Bulb Legislation was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Additionally, 69 percent of female respondents admit to having “a laundry list” of projects they’d like their spouse or significant other to take on around the house in the new year. Therefore, it’s safe to say that buying a new tool will hit the nail on the head.

With that in mind, and armed with the study’s results showing that 56 percent of men actually prefer to receive functional gifts like tools, and 67 percent of women prefer to give them, here’s a list of Craftsman tools that are “Guys’ Favorites Guaranteed” this holiday season:

•    Clench Wrench Two-Piece Set. A convenient tool that can be used on more than 50 fastener sizes and types. The ratcheting feature and multi-positional head make for quick work.

•    Universal Max Axess 19-piece Set. A pass-thru ratchet and socket system that virtually eliminates the need for deep sockets, and can work with six different types of nuts and bolts.

•    V4 Combo – Screwdriver and Cutter. Perfect for light DIY projects around the home. The screwdriver has two speeds and features a cutter for various materials.

•    NEXTEC G2 Drill/Driver. Boasts the best torque in its class and an all new, two-speed gear box and 18-position clutch.

•    NEXTEC G2 Multi-Tool. Not only can this tool sand, cut, grind, grate and remove grout, but it now offers a new tool-less accessory exchange, allowing a quick-release system to change the attachments versus using a tool such as a hex key, and a variable-speed dial that matches speed to the specific task at hand.

For more information on top holiday gifts and easy how-to projects around the home, visit the Craftsman Experience on www.facebook.com/craftsman. It is the ultimate DIY playground where clinics and demos are hosted by organizations that share their expert skills and talents in lawn and garden care as well as auto repair, woodworking and garage storage – all streamed live over the Internet.

Find the Top Tools for the DIYer on Your Gift List was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Carrier, a leading manufacturer of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration systems, regularly offers incentives to customers who purchase energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, such as the Infinity system.

This same equipment may also qualify for rebates from one of Energy Star’s 600-plus local utility partners, located throughout the United States, or tax incentives provided by the federal government.

To save the most money on your next heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) purchase, it’s important to understand which energy-efficient products qualify for specific incentives, how to apply for those incentives and how much money to expect in return.

The experts at Carrier suggest that those planning to install energy-efficient technologies talk to a local contractor about potential HVAC purchases and take a look at www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm or www.dsireusa.org to learn about the rebate programs available in their area.

That’s just the beginning. Energy-efficient products can save you money every time you use them. For example, upgrading from an 80 percent efficient furnace to a 98 percent efficient Infinity furnace from Carrier will significantly reduce monthly utility bills.

The same is true when switching to a high-efficiency air conditioner. When paired with other cooling methods, high-efficiency AC can reduce a home’s energy use by 20 to 50 percent.

For more information on selecting the optimal furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or HVAC system for your home, check out www.residential.carrier.com.

Stockpile Savings With Energy-Efficient Upgrades was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Shining New Light on Bulb Legislation was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

It’s clear that people need bright days and dark nights, a finding confirmed by a report by the Lighting Research Center in New York. Consumers might have seen “light boxes” promoted as a solution; however, using a light box is not a do-it-yourself project.

“It’s easy to use the light boxes improperly,” says Terry McGowan, director of engineering and technology for the ALA. “Light therapy – just like any other drug or treatment regimen – should be prescribed by a physician. Part of that ‘light prescription’ will involve how much light, when it’s to be provided, and for how long,” says McGowan.

McGowan’s research and concern about combatting the symptoms of depression are personal as well as professional. “My wife is affected by SAD,” he reveals. “We happen to live in northern Ohio, which has many cloudy days and weeks of gloomy weather during November and December. In the dining room and kitchen, the use of indirect lighting brightens the room on a gloomy day outside and supplements the daylight through skylights and large windows. At night, the indirect lighting is turned off, and a series of accent lights plus table and floor lamps are used to illuminate the task areas, table and artwork.”

There are some options regarding light bulbs that can help, in addition to natural light. Brian Creeley, director of residential sales for light bulb manufacturer Bulbrite, suggests switching out standard incandescent bulbs with versions that mimic the effects of “full spectrum lighting, leaving you with lighting that has the same effect that you get from sunlight.”

These specialty bulbs are readily available at ALA-member lighting stores.

If an existing home or condo does not have a lot of natural daylight, McGowan offers these tips for making rooms brighter and more cheerful:

•    Maximize any available morning daylight.
•    Use light colors for room surfaces.
•    Use high-reflectance white paint for the ceiling.
•    Incorporate an indirect light source into your room.
•    Use accent and spot lights to add bright accents on plants, decorations or feature areas, creating an effect similar to sunshine and shadows.

Homeowners should evaluate whether their home is properly illuminated during the winter months. A visit to a nearby ALA-member lighting showroom to consult with a professional will result in a personally tailored solution. For more information, visit www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com.

Brighten Up Your Home to Combat SAD was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

The average homeowner spends approximately $1,900 a year on energy bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 56 percent of a typical home’s energy usage, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.

One natural first step to achieving an energy-efficient home is to install a high-efficiency heating and cooling system. Many of today’s top builders and contractors are turning to the experts at Carrier and their full line of energy-efficient solutions to help reduce energy use in homes without pricing buyers out of the market. Plus, many Carrier products meet or exceed federal energy requirements and are Energy Star compliant.

Though investing in energy-efficient heating and cooling may have the biggest impact on reducing household energy use, homeowners should approach energy efficiency from a more holistic perspective.

A highly efficient system should work in concert with high-quality insulation, water heater, windows, roofing, light fixtures and energy-efficient appliances to ensure the greatest energy savings. Be sure to talk with a homebuilder or contractor about how these various systems work together to determine the right solution based on the style of home and climate.

So while contemplating what color to paint the master bedroom, be sure to think about what’s in the utility closet, too. Not only will it reduce future energy use, it’ll contribute to a more comfortable home. For more tips on choosing a high-efficiency heating and cooling system, visit www.residential.carrier.com.

Adding Energy-Efficient Products to a Home Provides Comfort and Cost Savings was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com