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Every household in America has a vampire within — an energy vampire. These appliances and electronics draw more energy than they should, which can potentially take a big bite out of your budget. That’s why home heating companies like Home Air Services recommend that you familiarize yourself with the following energy vampires:

Inefficient Heating and Cooling Systems

HVAC systems have become a must-have in every home, and have been found to make up as much as half of a typical household’s annual energy costs. Fortunately, you can do several things to make the most of your existing heating and cooling systems.

Start with basic requirements such as addressing insulation problems and replacing leaky windows and entry doors. Clean air filters regularly, and make sure you follow your scheduled HVAC maintenance routine. If you have an HVAC system that’s 20 years old or more, consider replacing it with a more efficient HVAC unit.

Set-Top Boxes

Many of today’s set-top devices go into “sleep” mode instead of being fully shut off when you press the power button. This allows the devices to more quickly become fully “awake” as compared to a full shutdown. But some devices don’t have a “sleep” mode at all, but merely turn off their video output when put to sleep, which means they’re still consuming energy even when you’re not using them. Electronics experts and duct cleaning companies like ours recommend choosing ENERGY STAR®-certified devices, all of which are tested for their energy-saving capabilities.

Old Appliances

Old appliances did comply with energy standards at one time, but probably wouldn’t pass if held up to today’s standards. Old televisions, electric fans, hair dryers and even microwaves with digital displays consume a lot more energy than their modern counterparts. One may think that upgrading would be too costly, but considering the energy savings and longer life spans of newer models, it is possible to recoup the upgrade costs over time. Switching to all-LED home lighting can also help lower your energy costs and reduce the number of energy vampires in your home.

Home Air Services is your leading provider of air conditioner maintenance services. Give us a call at (301) 269-3004 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.

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