Tough Economic Times

If you are feeling the pinch of this economy like so many, there may be some local programs that can help out a bit. Many of the local energy companies are offering help in retrograding homes or businesses, subsidizing energy costs and even upgrading weatherization. To find out more, please check out the Flex Your Power page on http://www.fypower.org/feature/lowincome/. They provide a list of companies that are offering income-qualified programs to help out local homeowners. California provides an abundance of resources for homeowners, why not take advantage of them? These initiatives are also helpful for the environment (as well as your pocket book) if we all use less energy, it's better all around. If you're looking for other ways to help the environment or to save on your energy bills, fypower.org (flex your power) is a great place to start. This California non-profit provides tips and tricks for homeowners seasonally and keeps a database of rebates and other economic incentives.

Electric Bill

Did your electric bill go up this month? You may have thought...hmm...a little high, but...I have been running the air conditioner almost constantly. While the constant cooling may have attributed some to the high costs of energy this last month, it may not be the sole cause. California regulators gave Edison the 'OK' to raise their rates in Southern California as of March 2009.

Read the story here: http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/13/business/fi-edison13

So, while there may not be anything you can do about your increased rate - if ever there was a time to start conserving electricity it's now!

Consider using lights only when they are needed. If natural light from the windows will suffice, don't turn on the lights, especially since lighting can increase the overall temperature of the room. Make sure to turn lights off when they are not needed, or when you leave a room. If you haven't switched over to efficient light bulbs, do so - they do actually conserve energy and last longer to boot.

Keep the drapes closed! If you have one side of the house that gets major sun consider installing outside shades to block and deflect some of the heat.

Focus on your attic - a lot of cool air can be lost through the attic. So if you have an older home (with less insulation) consider getting more insulation or even a radiant barrier installed to prevent the heat from your attic from getting into your home.

Monitor Your Energy Use

Microsoft Hohm - a computerized tool to measure and record your home's energy use - has gone live this week.

To see the site for yourself, please visit: http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/?m_sba=niagemania111 So when you first open the page it has a couple different options. Because I was interested in creating my own account - I clicked on the "sign up" and was brought to my start up page. On the front page of your account (my account) they give you lots of different options. First, they ask if you want to complete your home profile. 2. They let you see the cost breakdown in your area. 3. they show you the annual average energy costs in your area. In my area it was $1,785 - that's like second highest! We need to step up our conservation. 4. Then they provide a section outlining the "Top Ways to Save" and provide the dollar amounts so you can decide whether or not you would like to perform the suggested upgrades. For example, if you set the computer displays in your home to work off of low power when not in use, you could save $84/year. 5. They have related news stories, 6. rebates and offers for your area and lastly a "did you know" section to provide interesting facts. For example: did you know that leaky furnace vents can reduce efficiency by up to 60%? I didn't have quite all the information I needed to set up my home energy profile. Like I have no clue what year my water heater is from, so my profile is only 82% complete. However, I can always go back and enter more information. The more complete my profile is, the better I can start benchmarking my energy use. Good luck with the new app. Please remember it's still in Beta mode.

Home Energy

If you have high energy bills, it's time to see what appliances are adding the most strain to your energy usage, and change out those appliances to energy star models.

Most often, the largest consumer of energy in the residential home is the heating and air conditioning systems. It is important to upgrade if you have an older, inefficient unit. The second largest consumer is then usually the refrigerator. This can also be avoided as there are many energy star efficient models to choose from. After that, the energy use is split amongst lights and other home appliances.

Southern California Edison (www.sce.com) is currently running a program where they will switch any lamps that use inefficient energy for new energy star lamps. They will also collect cfl bulbs for recycling. To get all the information, please visit: http://www.sce.com/residential/rebates-savings/lighting/energy-star-lighting.htm They are holding events nearby during June and July to collect and re-distribute more energy safe lamps and lighting options. June 27 & 28, 2009 8 am - 1 pm Montebello Town Center Plaza Dr. & Montebello Blvd. Montebello, CA 90640 and then in July, they are going to be in Montclair. Why not upgrade? Changing out your lighting can make a difference in your energy usage and save you money on those monthly bills.

Escaping Air

It's hot outside, so you crank on the Ac...but it's NOT getting any cooler!

While there are many possible causes for this problem, it is easier (and cheaper) to start with the small repairs/self-fixes than to jump right to replacing the air conditioner. Various problems may come up, and depending on the age of the duct work and air conditioning unit, somethings are more common than others. If the ductwork is over 10-15 years old and perhaps wasn't sealed correctly during the install (people used to believe that a home needed fresh air to breath) you could be loosing expensive, cool air through leaks or poorly sealed ducts. To help with this problem, energystar.gov has provided a list of repairs that homeowners can often do on their own to prevent air from leaking out of the ducts and into the attic. Source: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing

Sealing Ducts In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. Because some ducts are concealed in walls and between floors, repairing them can be difficult. However, exposed ducts in attics, basements, crawlspaces, and garages can be repaired by sealing the leaks with duct sealant (also called duct mastic). In addition, insulating ducts that run through spaces that get hot in summer or cold in winter (like attics, garages, or crawlspaces) can save significant energy. Additionally, if you are replacing your forced-air heating and cooling equipment, make sure your contractor installs the new system according to ENERGY STAR quality installation guidelines. A quality installation will include a thorough inspection of your duct system, including proper sealing and balancing of ductwork, to help ensure that your new system delivers the most comfort and efficiency.

If you think that you may be loosing air through your ducts, Sinclair Air can always check the connections and suggest some corrective action.

Heat Pump Retrofit

Thinking that you are spending too much money on heating your water? Have an old water heater that just isn't efficient, but works fine, so you can't justify spending the money to get a new one? Here's the answer.

A company based out of Tennessee has created an addition "heat pump" to heat residential water that sits on top of a regular water heater. This will allow your water to stay nice and warm, but without the high monthly price tag. It also helps homeowners to save money on energy costs.

Source: I originally found the article in flex your power's monthly article: http://www.fypower.org/news/?p=2894&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eNewswire&utm_content=601417125&utm_campaign=e-Newswire+Issue+642+_+htujb&utm_term=New+Heat-Pump+Retrofit+Gives+Homeowners+Option+to+Save+Energy+With+Existing+Water+Heaters But the short description that I will quote next is from: http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/ID/3971/ Here are some details about the retrofit kit:

The engineers at AirGenerate (previously Beyond Pollution) appear to have done something remarkable: create an affordable, effective, heat-pump water heater that can be retrofit onto a conventional gas or electric water heater, more than doubling the energy performance compared with a standard electric water heater. The AirTap A7 water heater has a rated output of 7,000 Btu/hour (7.4 MJ/hour), a first-hour rating of 42.5 gallons (160 l), a maximum water temperature of 135°F (57°C), an efficiency of 240% (coefficient of performance of 2.4), and an energy factor of 2.11. (Energy factor is a standardized measure of performance of water heaters; the higher the number, the better.) All this is in a unit that measures only 18" wide by 14" deep by 14" high (460 x 360 x 360 mm), weighs only 48 pounds (22 kg), and sits on top of a standard water heater. The list price is $499. The energy factor and first-hour rating of the AirTap are certified by GAMA (previously the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association and now a broader association of appliance and equipment manufacturers).

This is an excellent option for energy-conscious homeowners who want to save some money, but not go replacing all of their appliances every time something more "energy efficient" comes out.

Lower Energy Bill

Looking for ways to save some money on your electricity bills?

The Energy Providers in Indiana have got together to provide local homeowners with tips and tricks to save energy. These tips are useful in all areas of the country and are available in 10 simple steps. If you are looking for more understanding about furnace filters etc. They have an excellent walk-you-through video on their mainpage: http://www.lowermymonthlyelectricbill.com/. The 10 tips I'm using can be found here: http://www.lowermymonthlyelectricbill.com/tips.aspx.

10 tips to lower your monthly energy bill from lowermymonthlyelectricbill.com:

1. Install (AND USE) a programmable thermostat - I say this and say this and say this...programmable thermostats are seriously 100% more useful than manual thermostats. They save you money, control the temperature and operate consistantly to keep your pipes from freezing or your home from boiling. What's not to love? The tip to lower your monthly energy bill is:

   turn your thermostat down 10 degrees while you are sleeping.

2. Wear socks and a sweater inside

   During the winter of course, and in the summer wear comfortable, light weight and colored materials. This will regulate your body temperature and allow for a less agressive tempearture required in the home.
3. They suggest putting a humidifier in frequently used rooms. Humidifying options are available on many of the newer ac and heating units. However, in California, where we don't have too much of a humidity problem - this shouldn't be too much of a concern unless there are respiratory issues.
4. They also suggest closing off rooms that aren't used. While this isn't going to save you any actual energy, it can help to ensure that the rest of the house is more comfortable. So if you can close off a room, it might be worth it.

5. Keep your garage door shut

   . Keeping the door shut blocks out blasts of hot or cool air. If you think about it, the garage door is large, and most garages are attached in some way to the house. If the garage becomes stifling hot - where do you think that air is going to move to? Scientifically through the process of heat transfer heat always moves from the warmer to the cooler. So if your home is cooler (through running of the ac) and your garage is warmer, the warmer air will try to get to the cooler air, effectivly ruining the nice inside temperature of the home. Keep the garage door - and for that matter, all other doors and windows CLOSED!
6. Consider adding insulation. In Indiana they require at least 12 inches. California is somewhat less, but there can never be too much insulation right?
7. Unplug appliances when they are not being used. Switching the "off" switch only turns off a certain amount of energy. Try squids or powerstrips! Once again, I say this and say this...
8. Common sense: Turn off the lights when not in a room.
9. Turn off the water when you are: brushing teeth, shaving...etc. etc. Especially in the winter, when you are utilizing the hot water heater to make the water a nice temperature. Avoiding heating water you may not be using will also bring your energy bill down.
10. This last one, I found a bit confusing? I use the iron all the time...but it's hot and capable of burning through things...I don't know why one would leave it on and unattended...but their #10 sugestion was to turn off the electric iron when taking a break from ironing. Go figure? But I guess every little bit helps.

Use these and other tips to lower your monthly energy bill. Also check out their video on furnace filters!

Drafty Rooms

Source: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_solutions.hm_improvement_draftyrooms

Drafty Rooms Diagnosis: Cold air leaking into your house around windows, doors, electrical outlets, light fixtures, and gaps in corners, can cause rooms to feel drafty and uncomfortable. As cold air is coming in through leaks, warm air is escaping through other leaks. The biggest leaks for escaping air are often found in the attic, and recessed lights are a common location. Prescription Checklist: Air sealing (Home Sealing) can help stop drafts and improve the comfort of your home. The most important leaks are often in the attic. You can do some things yourself, but for the best solution you need to hire a contractor. Ask your heating and cooling contractor to check ducts for air leaks and balanced airflow. If you have a fireplace, close the damper when not in use. You may also be interested in: Home Sealing Cold Floors Hot or Cold Rooms

How should one go about "sealing" their home? First, check to see what areas might be in need of sealing. If you notice one room particularly cooler (or hotter) than the others, I would start there.

Here is a very simple and basic list to start sealing your home:

1. Ensure the spaces around windows and doors are sealed. This can be as easy as caulking around the perimeters or as difficult as having a professional replace older windows.
2. Install dampers in chimneys to prevent air loss through the chimneys.
3. Check the amount of insulation your home requires. (There are different numbers according to the location of your home.) Pay special attention to the attic - a homeowner may add insulation or a type of radiant barrier to reflect sunlight and prevent the attic from getting overly warm during summer.

If you want to provide your home with the highest potential draft reduction, it is best to hire a contractor that specializes in home envelope testing. To test for the envelope, a contractor may use infrared tracking, air vacuum measuring and other 'new-fangled' types of figuring where your home may have leaks.

If your home is well sealed, you are not heating or cooling the outside - AND that saves you money on your energy bills. :)

Winter Energy Savings Tips

Winter Energy savings tips a la consumerenergycenter.org. California is pretty fortunate in that there are many different non-profits that are focused on providing consumers with the best energy-savings tips and suggestions. As such, we get pretty good information and finding 'green' or 'energy-sparse' ways to do things is fairly simple. Aside from energystar.gov and flexyourpower.org we also have a non-profit dedicated to providing information to consumers about their energy consumption (hence: www.consumerenergycenter.org - the SOURCE for this post). They break down their winter tips into five sections:

• Tips to Save Natural Gas
• Keep Safe This Winter
• Things That Are Fast and Free
• Things to Do That Are Inexpensive
• Thing to Do That Are Investments

(clicking on a section will take you to that section on their web page so you may read more). The natural gas tips are pretty common across the board - health permitting, turn down the heater and don some wool. The keep safe section highlights the need for a carbon monoxide detector in the home. While the things that are fast and free section gives more advice on how to save just a bit on your energy bill. They suggest opening drapes, to let the sun warm areas of your home and rearranging furniture so that nothing is blocking vents/air flow. The "Inexpensive" breakdown as well as the investments sections provide tips on what types of appliances etc. to buy. This page is actually an excellent place to start on your journey to an energy efficient home. There are steps on every level of commitment. And who knows? seeing the change in your energy bill from simply moving the couch might encourage following more tips. In this economy every little bit helps...

FURNACE information

...Maybe it's just me...actually I am sure it is. I consistently find myself learning more about furnaces than I ever wanted to know...furnaces and air handlers...and any other number of HVAC equiptmental things. Not that it's not interesting, but... The Department of Energy has a section dedicated to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and on their site, they have a number of useful resources. The one I am highlighting today is their section on the upkeep of furnaces and boilers. The original link is: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12530 however, I have also uploaded this onto the resources page on our website: http://www.sinclairair.com/ because I have already lost links on the eere page. Did you know that you can retrofit your existing furnace to 'get' more energy efficiency out of it? I know I usually suggest replacing the whole thing - and units are a lot more efficient now than they were even 5 years ago, but 'retrofitting' might be a great idea for those looking to trim their energy costs without the major payout of replacing the whole system.

"Retrofitting Your Furnace or Boiler Furnaces and boilers can be retrofitted to increase their efficiency. These upgrades improve the safety and efficiency of otherwise sound, older systems. The costs of retrofits should be carefully weighed against the cost of a new boiler or furnace, especially if replacement is likely within a few years or if you wish to switch to a different system for other reasons, such as adding air conditioning (see the section on selecting and replacing heating and cooling systems). If you choose to replace your gas heating system, you'll have the opportunity to install equipment that incorporates the most energy-efficient heating technologies available. Since retrofits are fuel-specific, see the following sections for retrofit information: Gas-Fired Furnaces and Boilers (includes units fired with natural gas and propane) Oil-Fired Furnaces and Boilers Other retrofitting options that can improve a system's energy efficiency include installing programmable thermostats, upgrading duct work in forced-air systems, and adding zone control for hot-water systems, an option discussed in the Heat Distribution Systems section."

They also offer other information about how to choose a new furnace, as well as a chart depicting the possible savings (so you don't have to take my word for it...) that you can check out on the same site. The Department of Energy also provides booklets explaining possible ways to save energy in other areas of the home as well.

Calculate the Costs of Your Furnace

Have you ever wondered (apart from all the different lines on your gas or electric bill) what exactly your furnace is costing you? Energystar.gov offers a way to calculate what your furnace is costing you, what it would cost to upgrade/upkeep and the percentages of possible savings. On this page, click on the "savings calculator" link (pictured in purple type). It is actually an excel spreadsheet that you download. In the spreadsheet are already set up formulas to help you calculate estimates of service prices and installation costs. (Please keep in mind that these are estimates, but still are a pretty good idea of what you can possibly save). I had a furnace and air conditioning system installed in my home this year, and these are my savings calculations: and this is my summary: So, according to the calculations, I will receive the initial costs of upgrading back within 4 years (because of the high savings), but it will save me $79 a month. If you ask me, it was worth it. Find out what you could be saving...

About How Much Does That Cost?

Source: the San Diego Gas and Electric Company (http://www.sdge.com/documents/forms/energycosts.pdf) The San Diego Gas & Electric Co. has provided a pdf with approximations to how much it costs to run certain items. They even go in depth room by room to tell you how much it costs to run an iron for an hour or video games for 2 hours. The bottom line of your energy bill might not tell you too much - other than rates are high, but this break-down just might make you a little more conscious of how your energy is being 'spent.' Here is an example of one of their breakdowns focusing on the home office:

Doors and Windows

Some tips and suggestions for life without air conditioning - or this quasi-fall temperatures we're experiencing in southern California.

High Energy Bills?

SCE can help. If you live in the southern California Area and are paying your huge chunk of electricity payments to Southern California Edison (www.sce.com) they have some tips to save some green. So their site "Top 10 Energy Guzzlers" http://www.sce.com/CustomerService/HighBillHelper/energyguzzler.htm under their "High Bill Helpers" section has an interactive picture of 10 appliances in your house that can be causing that high energy bill. 1 of the 10 (actually #9) is the central air conditioner. Edison averages about .17 per kilowatt hour and they used a 3 Ton unit for example. They guess that if you have an inefficient model, you can pay $80.46 running it for 4 hours a day. If however, you have a higher SEER you can save money without having to turn the thermostat up to 82. (things to remember) 1. The current government standard in SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratings) is 13. A seer of 13 is saving you 30% over a 10 seer (a unit maybe 5-7 years old). 2. If you pay $100 for your energy bill and upgrade to a 13 SEER, you will be saving 38% and now paying $62 for that same bill (according to residential.carrier.com's calculator). 3. The agreed upon temperature for optimal savings and optimal comfort is 78 degrees and higher when you're away from home. 4. Your thermostat isn't saving you any money if you are using it as a manual model (turning it on and off when you want to). Okay, check out the suggestions, many of them are common sense, some of them are weird (like get flat bottomed pans to avoid using too much electrical stove time - who sells rounded pots? and how do they stand up?....weird). But worth a look anyhow. They also have more tips on how to lower your energy bill under their High Bill Helpers section.

Learn All about Programmable Thermostats- video

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.PT_Podcast (source)

The Weather is Cooling Down - NOW, is the Perfect Time

Ahh, feel that? It's actually a nice, cool breeze going through Covina. You don't have to turn on the air, just open a window and there is a nice, actual breeze coming through. This morning was even cool enough to justify a light sweater on my way to school. NICE! So, aside from being really gorgeous weather (I mean it's not 90 - I'll take what I can get) NOW is the PERFECT TIME! For what you ask? Picnics - yes, please. It is wonderful picnic weather, just enough sun, just enough breeze.

But even better, it is the perfect weather for SERVICING AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING UNITS!!!!

Why? Well, during summer it's so blasted hot that everyone and their grandmother is calling air conditioning companies to fix/install units so that it's not so hot. If you call for an appointment that is not extremely urgent you might end up waiting for a while. Winter, is the same way - people freeze and then get on the phone with a company to install/fix the furnace that they haven't even thought about since last January. So...Now, is the perfect time to get your unit serviced with almost no wait time! This blog has written constantly about how services are necessary for the up keep of your unit - like a car, that in order to run at top efficiency, needs to have a check-up every once in a while. (pssst: NOW) So, lets just say a little birdie told you that NOW is the PERFECT time to schedule a service for your unit. There will be no wait, no stress on your unit and your air conditioner/heater will thank you. It'll be like having a brand new unit for when the HEAT kicks back up in November (as it can in California) or the COLD comes with a vengence in December. (You don't want to have to call for service at Christmas time...really...) Laying it on a bit thick? Perhaps, but no one ever takes these opportunities and then they kick and scream when their unit breaks down. It pays to be prepared. ((views of the blog reflect my personal suggestions and not that of Sinclair Air, although if you ask them - they will tell you all the benefits of regularly servicing your unit and what can happen if you don't.))

Shrink Your Energy Bill

Pandolfi, Keith. “10 Ways to Shrink Your Energy Bills” in This Old House Magazine Online. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20169070,00.html?xid=CNN-060909-shrink-bills&cnn=yes last access 8/22/08.

“1. CHOKE YOUR CHIMNEY”

If you have a chimney, it is a good idea to keep a working damper installed. This will prevent air conditioning cooled air (or furnace warmed air) from escaping out the chimney. Why run your air conditioner if you’re going to cool the outside? Make sure the damper is closed when you’re not using your chimney. Savings felt = immediately.

“2. SEAL AIR LEAKS”

This means that cracks around the windows, doors, piping and wiring need to be closed up. Caulking or installing weather-stripping around windows can save you “more than 10% on your heating bills.” Hardware stores even sell kits that can help you seal up your home. While this one takes a little longer to pay back, it is definitely worth a tiny bit of extra effort. Savings felt = 6mos to a year.

3. TUNE UP TUNE UP GIDDE-YUP

If your heating and air conditioning system is a well-oiled machine, it can serve your cooling/heating needs for LESS! Call your Air systems’ contractor to sign your unit up for a service. Off peak services are also beneficial, to avoid longer wait times. Savings felt = one heating or cooling season.

“4. GIVE IN TO ENERGY STAR”

If you partner with energy star and buy their appliances you will save on your energy bills. Sometimes, the local agencies (electric/gas/water…depending) will even offer rebates for replacing your old appliances. According to the “This Old House Magazine” you can save “$110 annually for replacing your clothes washer.” Savings felt = depending on the appliance. 5 years for a fridge, 7-8 years for a clothes/dishwasher.

“5. MAKE YOUR ATTIC MORE CUSH”

Especially if you have an older house, insulating the attic can be a very cost effective way of saving on your energy bills. Often times, before the building codes were as complex as they are today, the amount of insulation was left up to the individual contractor. They also have a link on their page teaching how a homeowner can beef up their insulation themselves. Savings felt = 3-5 years.

“6. EMBRACE THE PELLET STOVE”

This has got to be for people living in the boonies, but I guess it’s a pretty good idea. They have stoves that run off of sawdust pellets…I wonder what that does to the environment. But, one of the benefits is saving up to 50% on your heating bill – that’s pretty significant.

“7. TAKE CHEAPER SHOWERS”

A little redundant here – they suggest upgrading to an energy star approved water heater. Check with your local gas company or energystar.gov to see if they are currently running any tax brakes or incentives to switching over. Your local city hall is also a good place to look for homeowner’s benefits.

“8. FIND SOME PERFECT STORMS”

TOH (this old house) suggests putting in storm windows (that are triple paned), to prevent energy from leaking out of traditional glass panes. Especially if you have windows with large surface areas, this might be a good option. Upgrading to double-paned windows is another option if you don’t want to do the whole storm lockdown thing. Savings felt = 2-5 years.

“9. ADDRESS THE BEAST IN THE BASEMENT”

TOH recommends replacing your furnace. I couldn’t agree more. Technology has come so far in a short span of time. Heating is measured in BTUs and instead of having an efficiency ratio like air conditioners; heaters are measured by the ratio of waste to actual heating. The southern California gas company (for example) is offering rebates for 92% AFUE (Air Fuel Utilization Efficiency) which means at 92% that 92% of the energy is being used to heat the home, while only 8% is escaping as exhaust. When compared even to an 80 AFUE model that’s 20% exhaust! Savings felt = 2-5 years.

“10. SELL YOUR HOUSE”

WHOA! That seems a bit extreme to me…like by a lot. But for some of those older homes, I guess it could be beneficial. Savings felt = immediately. Check out the full article for information on this one…

SEER!

Source: http://www.residential.carrier.com/knowledge/efficiency/ratings.shtml Energy Efficiency in Air Conditioners is rated by SEER, which stands for: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. In 1992, the SEER rating was set at 10. Now it is at 13. Depending on when you had your central air conditioner installed, your unit may be operating a SEER of 6 or 7 or even 10. Each time a seer rating increases, the savings goes up by a percentage. For example, a 13 SEER is 30% more efficient than a 10 SEER. Concurrently, each time the efficiency goes up, the more money you save on your energy bill. According to http://www.eesi.org/publications/Fact%20Sheets/acfactsheet.htm, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute explains some common myths about SEER ratings and the corresponding factual evidence.

Myth #2: Utility bill savings will not cover the cost of going to a SEER 13 standard. FACTS: • The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that the incremental cost of a SEER 13 unit relative to today’s minimum standard SEER 10 unit will be about $171. With typical household savings of $48 per year based on current national average electricity prices, the higher standard pays for itself in about 3.5 years. Central air conditioners last about 18 years. • If prices for power go up (particularly in the summer), the consumer payback will be even quicker. • History shows that manufacturers’ predictions of huge price increases due to higher standards prove false. In the 1980s, the air conditioner industry predicted that the 1992 standard would increase prices by more than $700. U.S. Department of Commerce data show that prices did not go up at all. Now, some manufacturers are again claiming a new standard will increase prices by more than $700. • The truth is that the market determines prices, not industry or government projections. When faced with the need to compete for the business of price-conscious consumers, manufacturers have a very good track record of meeting standards with minimal price increases. Myth #3: The higher standard will prevent people from replacing their old air conditioners because of the extra cost. As a result, people will stick with old, inefficient air conditioners causing the nation to use more energy. FACT: SEER 13 adds three to eight percent to the cost of a purchase relative to a SEER 10 unit. When compared to the weaker SEER 12 standard that some in the industry and the Bush Administration support, the price difference is even smaller (about 2 to 4 percent). It would seem unlikely that droves of consumers will decide to repair rather than replace an old broken-down energy-hog system over such a small price differential on a $2,000 to $5,000 purchase. Myth #4: SEER 13 units are much bigger than SEER 10 or SEER 12 units, so major renovations will be required to fit them into existing homes. FACT: Some SEER 13 units are significantly bigger, but many are not. For example, Goodman Manufacturing makes SEER 13 units using non-proprietary technology that are only about three inches larger than their basic units. The size of the unit depends on the technologies that a manufacturer uses to improve efficiency; SEER 13 units of all sizes are made now and will be available in the future.

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Is “High Efficiency” really worth it?

By Federal law, the minimum efficiencies that can be sold in California are 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for residential cooling products and 80% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) for gas heating products. SEERS can range as high as 21 seer and AFUES can go as high as 96% AFUE. These translate into operating savings of about 25% on cooling and 17% on heating. If comparing against a 20 year old condenser the operating savings goes to about 65% for cooling and 40% for heating. Payback of the initial cost difference in some cases can be realized in 4 to 7 years, depending on how often you use the heating and air conditioning systems. http://www.coolairsolutions.com/F.A.Q.html

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http://www.aps.com/_files/services/ResFAQ/highseer.pdf is a downloadable PDF (also available as a HTML document - to view online if you prefer). According to the Arizona Public Service Company, the Seer efficiency ratings are important for many different reasons. One of them includes protecting the environment.

“On a larger scale, the energy conserved by your high-efficiency unit (12 SEER or greater) will lessen your home’s impact on our environment. With an efficient heating and cooling system, you can save money and also help preserve natural resources.”

You can estimate about how much SEER your current air conditioner is operating at by looking up the year it was installed. According to APS, these are some years and corresponding seer numbers to help you figure out your energy usage.

“Estimate your older unit Seer rating: Pre-1980 – SEER rating of 6 or less 1980-1985 – SEER rating of 7 1986-1991 – SEER rating of 8” © 1999, Arizona Public Service Company – MM-5K-0699-AS

Remember how much money you can save using the chart at the top of the page! A higher seer definitely saves on your bills. Maybe an increase in comfort and energy efficiency is worth upgrading to an energy saving product.