Heating & cooling

• The better your home is insulated, the less your heating and cooling system have to work. You will be more comfortable year-round, and it's easier to control energy use and costs.
• R-Values. Insulation is rated by R-value per inch of thickness. The higher the R-value, the better the material insulates. Choose an insulation material (or a combination of materials) that satisfies the R-value needed for the job at hand.
• The following insulation R-values are recommended to meet basic levels of energy efficiency in your home. Note: These are minimum recommendations. Exceeding these levels further increases your home's energy efficiency.

• Geothermal systems. If you're planning to build a new home, consider using a Geothermal heating & cooling system and improving the insulation levels to help make it an ENERGY STAR®-certified home. ENERGY STAR homes exceed the model energy code requirements by at least 30%. And the savings more than pay for themselves.
• Sealing windows and doors. Make sure windows and doors are well caulked and sealed to prevent heat loss and outside air infiltration. If necessary, install weather-stripping. Quality storm doors or insulated metal doors with magnetic weather seals can make a real difference, too. When purchasing new windows, look for double-glazed, wood-framed windows with weather-stripped construction. Consider low-E or gas-filled windows for superior insulating performance.
• Ventilation. Proper ventilation ensures that moisture-laden air doesn't remain inside the house. Exhaust fans in the laundry, bathroom and kitchen help. Attic ventilation can also help reduce heat buildup during steamy summer months.
• Bigger isn't always better when it comes to cooling your home. Properly sizing the equipment is crucial. The cooling unit or system should be matched to the size of the area to be cooled. Double-check this with your contractor.
• If you need to heat or cool just part of your home, think about using space heaters, radiant panels, baseboard heaters, room air conditioners or fans. They can add comfort in energy-efficient ways.
• Keeping your heating and cooling equipment well maintained ensures top efficiency. Check and clean filters on a regular basis. Annual checkups by a trained professional are worthwhile, too. Follow manufacturers' instructions so your heating and cooling system performs at its peak when you need it most.

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