Distinctive Homes Magazine - Boston - Volume 4 Issue 3 - (Page 18)

TIPS FOR LOWERING YOUR MONTHLY ENERGY BILL Submitted by: Eric M. Chaffee Our complete Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning inspection is only $49.95 WITH SKYROCKETING HEATING COSTS AND THE COOL WEATHER RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, ERIC CHAFEE, FROM ASSURED SERVICE HAS GIVEN US THESE MONEY SAVING SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE SURE WE MAXIMIZE THE EFFICIENCIES OF OUR EXISTING HEATING SYSTEMS. THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY THIS WINTER: Inspections Include: Plumbing Inspect Toilets Inspect Faucets for Leaks Inspect Washing machine hoses Inspect all Shut oﬀ Valves Complete Water heater Inspection (pilot, wiring water leaks, gas leaks, venting & thermostat) Heating Inspect Heating Elements Inspect & adjust pilot lights Inspect for Leaks Inspect Thermostat Inspect Heat Exchanger Inspect & Adjust burners Inspect all Safety Controls Inspect Flue Pipe Inspect Gas Valves Inspect all Electrical Connections Inspect Circulator Pumps Air Conditioning System B eing an energy-smart consumer means getting the most from the energy you use. Vacuum air vents, baseboard heaters and radiators regularly to remove dust that reduces heating eﬃciency. Move furniture, carpet or curtains that restrict their operation. If your baseboard heaters have movable deﬂectors or vents, open them in the winter and close them in the summer. Schedule annual tune-ups for your heat pump, furnace or boiler. Check to see if your utility company provides this service. If you have a natural gas system, an annual checkup by your assured service technician is in order. The technician will check the ﬂues and temperature settings, examine the heat exchanger for cracks, and check the safety mechanisms. Hire a professional to seal and insulate leaky ducts and to ensure that the airﬂow distribution system serving your heating equipment is operating at peak eﬃciency. Check your attic, attic stairway, attached garage walls and basement to ensure that you have proper insulation between conditioned and unconditioned spaces. Open your foundation vents each spring if your home has a crawl space under it. Close the vents in the winter. Prune back shrubs that may block airﬂow to your heat pump. Consider installing ceiling fans. The air circulation promotes cooling in the summer and heating eﬃciency in the winter. Change or clean your furnace ﬁlter. Failing to check the ﬁlter regularly can be costly: dust and dirt can work their way into the blower and coilassemblies, reducing the furnace’s operating eﬃciency and eventually damaging the motor. In fact, heating technicians say more than half their service calls are caused by simple dust and dirt clogging up vital motor parts! Most dealers recommend changing disposable ﬁlters once a month, or cleaning reusable ﬁlters every other month. Clear outdoor exhaust vents - During the winter, be sure to clear snow and ice away from the intake and exhaust vents outdoors. If the vents become blocked, dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can back up into the house, and the furnace could shut down. Now is the time to start preparing for the cold weather. If left untouched, small problems can become large and expensive to ﬁx. Give us a call today, we’ll make sure you’re ready for winter! MAY WE BE YOUR PLUMBER? 24 Hour Emergency Service 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed 2 years parts and Labor Warranty Fully Licensed and Insured Commercial and Residential Staﬀ 20+ Years of experience Courteous and Knowledgeable Staﬀ SERVING THE NORTH SHORE, SOUTH SHORE, METRO WEST AND BOSTON We go wherever you need us to be. http://www.assured-service.com http://www.assured-service.com

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Distinctive Homes Magazine - Boston - Volume 4 Issue 3 Ask Lillian Welcome, Sandy Thompson Tips for Lowering Your Monthly Energy Bill

Distinctive Homes Magazine - Boston - Volume 4 Issue 3

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