RESIDENTIAL GOING GREEN

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There are many components to consider when ‘going green’ in your home. Windows, ducts and insulation all contribute to the efficiency of your heating and cooling units. When you call The General, we can help you identify areas of loss and design a heating and cooling system to meet your needs in the most efficient and cost-effective way and we recommend only products that meet or exceed government recommendations .Green is the new buzz word, but what does it really mean to go green in the heating and cooling industry?

There are many ways to achieve a green home. Our approach to designing a heating and cooling system for a green home focuses on energy efficiency and increased occupant health. Ultimately, our goal is to help you reduce your carbon footprint.

One of the biggest ways to make a difference in reducing your energy consumption is through your heating and cooling equipment. According to the Department of Energy, 56% of your household energy use is from your heating and cooling system. Installing a high efficiency heating and cooling system can reduce the total annual energy consumption in your home by as much as 30%.

One of the primary areas that greatly impacts energy efficiency is the ductwork in your home. According to the Department of Energy, the average air leakage for a home’s duct system is 20%. We have been testing many duct systems and we have been seeing leakage averaging 40-50%. The average leakage for a duct system that we install in a Green Home is less than 3%. All of our ductwork systems for new construction Green Homes are certified by a third party energy rating company.

With the world craze to "go green" we are seeing a new system being implemented in the way we use air conditioning.  The existing system which many people refer to as Freon is actually what is termed R-22. The R-22 refrigerant is being replaced by the R410a refrigerant which is a much more environment friendly and energy conserving system.  This overhaul is slated for 2010 and will replace the R-22 with the R410a completely because they work on two opposite pressure systems.

The copper lines that the R-22 use will need to be changed out or flushed because it uses mineral oils that break down into damaging carbons that are speculated to be causing the global warming crisis the governments of the world seem to be so worried about. R-410a will use synthetic oil that will be able to sustain at much higher temperatures than that of the old. So if you have an older system which uses R-22 coolant, now is the time to upgrade.

There's even more incentive to green now due to the stimulus tax credits. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As a result of this act, the federal government announced tax credits for consumers who purchase qualifying high-efficiency heating and cooling products for their homes. Until December 31, 2010, certain high-efficiency HVAC products qualify for a tax credit equal to 30% of their installed cost, up to a maximum credit of $1,500. Some restrictions apply. Your tax advisor can help you determine how these credits may help you.

It’s the perfect opportunity to upgrade your home with an energy-efficient heating and cooling system to get a major tax break!   Something to think about… If energy bills and wasteful consumption are weighing heavily on your mind contact The General experts at saving you money and maximizing your home’s energy efficiency.

Energy Saving Tips
According to the Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site, “heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 45% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. What's more, heating and cooling systems in the United States together emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global climate change. They also generate about 12% of the nation's sulfur dioxide and 4% of the nitrogen oxides, the chief ingredients in acid rain.

No matter what kind of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system you have in your house, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. But remember, an energy-efficient furnace alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole-house approach. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, from 20% to 50%.”

DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Heating and Cooling Tips

• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer.
• Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
• Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if in doubt about how to perform this task, call a professional.
• Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
• During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
• During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.
• $ Long-Term Savings Tip: Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment.
• $ Long-Term Savings Tip: For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners.