It’s Summertime and Conserving is Easy
Start the Season off Right With an Energy Efficient Energy Star-Rated Air
Conditioner
Uniondale, NY—July 7, 2006—The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has
been working hard to make sure that Long Island will have the energy it needs
for the coming summer and the years ahead. However, as we approach the summer
cooling season, LIPA continues to strongly urge all of its customers to do all
that they can to use electricity wisely.
“During the summer heat Long Islanders rely heavily on window mounted and
central air conditioning units, and this could lead to another record breaking
summer in terms of electric demand,” said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. “With
LIPA’s help Long Islanders can keep their homes cool without heating up their
energy costs.”
What Can Homeowners Do To Reduce Summer Energy Costs?
- Caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows saves in both
hot and cold weather.
- Raising the thermostat also significantly lowers the cooling bill. A
good starting point is 78º. Every degree the thermostat is set below 78º
adds about 7 percent to the cooling bill. At 72º, the cost is about 42
percent higher than at 78º. If higher thermostat settings are uncomfortable,
you can make your living area feel several degrees cooler by using a fan to
circulate conditioned air.
- Take advantage of windows in the spring for fresh air and natural
ventilation. In the summer, keep the drapes drawn to reduce radiant heat
from the sun. Ventilation is especially important to reduce summer energy
costs. Make sure attics are properly ventilated.
- Change air conditioner filters regularly. Insulate air conditioner ducts
that are exposed in the attic or in other areas.
- If you buy new appliances, look for Energy-Star rated appliances, they
save energy and money. Check the energy guide on appliances for energy
consumption.
- If you're building a new home or adding to an existing structure, match
the equipment to the heating and cooling load as nearly as possible.
Oversized equipment wastes energy.
- Keep in mind that while a window cooling unit works well for a small
area, a central unit may be more economical for larger areas in the long
run. LIPA’s Cool Homes Program can help homeowners save hundreds of dollars
on central air conditioning costs. Energy efficient central air conditioning
will reduce your energy expenses and increase the comfort of your home. The
LIPA rebate will reduce your initial expense, and increased efficiency will
help your household budget. To learn more about LIPA’s Cool Homes Program,
visit LIPA’s Web site at www.lipower.org.
- Don't overlook the value of landscaping in summer energy savings. About
60 percent of the heat entering a home in the summer is through the roof.
Provide shade to the roof, walls and driveways to reduce heat absorption and
save energy and money.
Properly Sized Room Air Conditioners
A mistake often made when purchasing a new room air conditioner is buying one
that’s to large. A common misconception is that the larger the unit the more
cooling it will provide. However, an oversized air conditioner is actually less
effective and wastes energy at the same time. Air conditioners remove both heat
and humidity from the air. If the unit is too large it will cool the room
quickly, but only remove some of the humidity. This leaves the room with a damp
clammy feeling. A properly sized unit will remove humidity effectively as it
cools.
Calculate the right sized unit for a given space using the following
chart.
Area To Be
Cooled
(square feet) |
Capacity Needed
(BTUs per hour) |
| 100 to 150 |
5,000 |
| 150 to 250 |
6,000 |
| 250 to 300 |
7,000 |
| 300 to 350 |
8,000 |
| 350 to 400 |
9,000 |
| 400 to 450 |
10,000 |
| 450 to 550 |
12,000 |
| 550 to 700 |
14,000 |
| 700 to 1,000 |
18,000 |
| 1,000 to 1,200 |
21,000 |
| 1,200 to 1,400 |
23,000 |
| 1,400 to 1,500 |
24,000 |
| 1,500 to 2,000 |
30,000 |
| 2,000 to 2,500 |
34,000 |
Get the most for your energy dollars. Using electricity wisely saves
electricity, saves money and saves the environment.. LIPA’s conservation
programs and services can help you lower your energy costs and use energy more
efficiently. As part of LIPA's ongoing commitment to vigorously promote energy
conservation, LIPA has released its latest energy saving brochure titled, 53
Ways to Save Energy and Lower Your Electric Bill. This brochure contains
valuable advice on heating, cooling, laundry, hot water use and many other
energy saving, cost-cutting tips. To download a copy of this brochure and to
learn more valuable energy saving tips visit LIPA’s Web site at
www.lipower.org |
