Cutting Home Cooling Costs (NAPSA)—Cooling accounts for almost half of the average homeowner’s summer energy costs. To avoid high summer energy bills consider the following suggestions for cooling your home moreefficiently. Karly Replacement—If a cooling system is over 10 yearsold, it may be time to replace it. When installed correctly, ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners use 25 percent less energy than standard models. When you make the change to products that have earned the ENERGY STAR, you not only save energy and money—youhelp pro- tect the environment. ENERGY STAR is a government- backed program helping individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates if one household in 10 used ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling products, 17 billion pounds of greenhouse gases would be kept out of the air each year. Because of pre-season deals from manufacturers, the least expensive time to replace a cooling system is before the cooling season begins. Duct Work—If you decide to upgrade to an energy-efficient cooling system, it’s important to properly seal and insulate the ducts that deliver the system’s cooled air. Eliminating leaks increases a system’s efficiency and can save you 10 percent on energy costs each year. Programmable Thermostats —Consider installing an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat. If used properly, a programmable thermostat can CHANGE FOR THE ee ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR qualified centralair conditioners use 25 percent less energy than standard models. save about $100 annually in heat- ing andcoolingcosts. Proper Size—When purchas- ing cooling equipment, it’s impor- tant to rememberthat bigger is not always better. Oversized equipment can increase energy costs and reduce comfort. Contractors—When replacing your cooling system, it’s a good idea to hire an experienced, licensed contractor for the installation. Experts recommend hiring contractors whose technicians are certified by NATE (North American Technician Excellence), a leading industry-supported testing and certification program. For more tips and information visit www.energystar.gov or call 1-888-STAR-YES.
