Is it time for a new home comfort system?

Replacing your home’s HVAC system may seem like a daunting task, but it’s easy if you know what features to look for. We’ve compiled the ultimate “things to consider” checklist to help you take the plunge:

Some of your rooms are too hot or cold

Duct problems, inadequate air sealing or insulation could be the cause. No matter how efficient your heating and cooling system is, if your home is not properly sealed and insulated against air leakage, you will not be as comfortable and your system will have to work harder.

Your home has humidity problems and/or excessive dust

Poorly operating or improperly sized equipment could be to blame. Leaky ductwork can also cause these problems, so having it sealed may be a solution. Monthly maintenance of your heating and cooling equipment’s filters may also help.

Your cooling system is noisy

Your duct system could be improperly sized or there may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up

In addition to the rise in energy costs, the age and condition of your heating and cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient.

Your air conditioner or heat pump is more than 12 years old

Consider replacing it with newer, more efficient equipment. And, remember, high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR.

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old

Consider replacing it with ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment. ENERGY STAR has set high efficiency guidelines for both types of heating systems.

You leave your thermostat set at one constant temperature

You could be missing a great energy-saving opportunity. A programmable thermostat adjusts your home’s temperature at times when you’re regularly away or sleeping.

Source: “A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

5 Thanksgiving Entertaining Reminders

5 Thanksgiving Entertaining Reminders

When prepping for Thanksgiving guests, you’re probably focused on making sure your fridge and pantry are stocked, and the table is set. But making your home clean and comfortable is just as important.

And, good gravy, there are no shortage of options here. For your convenience, we carved the list down to these 5 items:

Have Your Home Comfort System Serviced and Inspected

Before winter weather hits, call a licensed heating and cooling professional to service and inspect your furnace. This not only helps prevent any unexpected heating emergencies, but also prolongs the life of your system. Plus, a well-maintained comfort system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat and cool your home – which means you’ll save energy and money every month. Click Here to schedule a service appointment with Betlem Residential today.

Deep-Clean Your Home, Including the Air

Make your home neat and your guests happy by giving your home a thorough cleaning. Mop the floors, wash the windows and clean all drapery and bedding. You may also want to have your carpets professionally cleaned, especially if you have pets.

To ensure the air inside your home is just as clean as your fabrics and furnishings, consider investing in a PureAir™ air purification system. It works with your heating and cooling system to remove all three classes of contaminants, including volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and harsh odors, from your home’s air.

Keep a Lid on Kitchen Odors

There’s nothing like the aroma of a roasted turkey, but that doesn’t mean you want the smell lingering around your home for hours. Make sure your kitchen’s exhaust fan is clean and replace the filter if necessary. It’s also a good idea to take out the trash frequently, especially if it contains animal products like eggshells and turkey bones.

Create a Perfectly Comfortable Gathering Space

Whether it’s a living room, family room or den, it’s important to provide a welcoming place for guests to relax before and after the big meal. Stash remote controls, toys and other clutter in attractive baskets, and stock up on throw pillows and blankets for extra warmth and comfort. If your home has a fireplace, you’ll want to have it cleaned and inspected in advance so it’s ready to add to the cozy atmosphere.

Don’t Forget to Relax!

Planning and hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work, even when your guest list is on the modest side. Give yourself a break if everything doesn’t come out exactly the way you planned. Your guests won’t remember if the turkey was a little dry or the green beans were slightly salty. But they will remember the stories that were told and the memories that were created. So relax – and enjoy!

Perfection: You can feel it in the air!

It starts with pure, clean freshness that lets you breathe easier. Then, there’s the silent flow of precisely heated air to every room.

Yes, perfect air may sound like a dream, but it doesn’t have to be. Discover the secrets behind perfect air, right here.

Look for variable capacity to ensure steady performance

Unlike single-stage units that can only operate all the way on or off, furnaces with Precise Comfort™ variable-capacity technology have the ability to make incremental adjustments in heat and airflow. That means more even temperatures and virtually silent operation.

Choose systems that turn serious comfort into serious energy savings

Perfect air shouldn’t require uncomfortably high utility bills, so look for home heating and cooling systems that make smart use of energy. Precise Comfort™ technology built into select units from the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection delivers exactly the right amount of heating, using energy only when it’s absolutely needed.

Dual-fuel systems are another smart option. When a gas furnace is paired with an electric heat pump, the Lennox system automatically determines the most efficient fuel source for the conditions at hand.

Take smart control of your home’s heating

Gone are the days of leaving a soft bed to adjust the thermostat, or coming home to find stuffy rooms. New advances in heating and cooling controls allow you to enhance your home comfort and save energy from anywhere. With Lennox’ iComfort Wi-Fi thermostat, temperature settings can be adjusted using a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Tap into the power of zoning

Perhaps you have one area in your house that’s always drafty, or a seldom-used guest room that needs little heating. With iHarmony™ zoning, you can direct air to specific areas in your home and reduce airflow to others—with just a few taps of your thermostat or even your phone. You can keep your family perfectly comfortable, while keeping your home energy efficient.

Fill your home with air that feels good – and is good for you

There’s nothing like the comfort that comes with knowing the air you breathe inside your home is clean, healthy and free of contaminants. Lennox’ PureAir™ air purification system works with your heating and cooling system to clean the air in your home better than any other single system you can buy.

Bring it all together in one perfect system

Any one Lennox® product can make your home feel cozier. Put them all together in a Lennox® system, and you can enjoy exceptional comfort and efficiency. And with Ultimate Comfort System, Lennox’ most advanced system, perfection is achieved.

When the sun comes up, your energy costs can go down.

With energy costs ever on the rise, you’re probably looking for ways to use less energy without compromising your lifestyle.

One of the most efficient and effective ways you can save energy also happens to be one of the most abundant: solar energy.

Home heating and cooling: your biggest chance at savings.

Perhaps the greatest impact that solar energy can have on your home will be felt in heating and air conditioning. As your home’s biggest consumer of energy, the heating and cooling system can produce substantial savings when integrated with solar energy.

Adding solar energy can be easier than you think.

Adding a solar energy source to your home heating and cooling system used to require a complicated, costly custom installation. However, with the introduction of SunSource, adding solar energy is much simpler and more cost-effective. 

Solar energy blends in perfectly with the rest of your home.

A typical solar installation will make a big difference in your energy savings. But it won’t make a big difference in the appearance of your home. Most of the time, the solar modules in a solar energy system are installed on the roof where they’ll gather the most light, and be the least intrusive on your landscaping and home décor.

Solar modules stand up to the elements and more.

While solar modules may look fragile, they’re actually extremely robust. Premium materials like those used in the SunSource Home Energy System can withstand even the most brutal weather conditions, including heavy rain, hail and snow.

Solar heating and cooling does more than heat and cool.

With a solar-enabled heating and cooling system in place, you will certainly enjoy a reduction in the amount of energy you use to stay comfortable. But the savings may very well be felt throughout your home as well, because energy systems such as SunSource can actually route extra power away from the heating and cooling system and use it to power small appliances in the home.

Too much electricity? Sell it back.

On days when solar panels produce more electricity than you’ll actually need for heating, cooling and small appliances, many local utilities may let you sell that excess electricity back to them, which means you’re actually making money on the energy your panels produce.

See your savings in a different light.

While it’s easy to understand the benefits of solar energy, it’s even more impactful when you can see just how much you can save, right there in front of you. Visit the Lennox Solar Calculator for an interactive example of how the savings can add up in your home. You’ll see just how good the sun can make you feel.

Stay warm and save!

Want to get better heating performance while lowering monthly energy costs? Follow these tips below to increase your home’s heating efficiency:

Choose a system with automatic, precision control

The newest technology will automatically provide just the right amount of heat and airflow to keep your home perfectly comfortable, regardless of the temperature outside. Lennox developed the SLP98V gas furnace with innovative Precise Comfort™ technology to make automatic adjustments—in increments as small as 1%—for the ultimate temperature control. Custom settings can be selected for effortless year-round comfort.

Take advantage of dual-fuel options

You can enjoy even better efficiency with a gas furnace that’s designed to be paired with an electric heat pump. Dual-fuel systems seamlessly alternate between heating with electricity when temperatures are above freezing, and heating with more efficient gas when it’s colder outdoors.

The simplest advice: turn it down

Saving energy on your home’s heating can be as simple as turning down your thermostat at night or while you’re away during the day. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy. Keeping your thermostat between 68-72°F while you’re at home—and lower while you’re asleep or away—can help reduce your heating bill dramatically.

Farmers Almanac Winter 2014 - 2015 Prediction: A Cold Winter!

Last year the Farmers Almanac was very accurate. Looks like we could be in for another cold winter.

Thermostat advice from the professionals.

Let Betlem's experts help you connect with your thermostat.

As the brains of your heating and cooling system, the thermostat can have a huge effect on energy efficiency and comfort.  Eric St. John, Residential Manager of BETLEM Residential, weighs in on thermostats, and the advantages you’ll enjoy with a programmable model.

The heart of your system.

“The thermostat controls every other part of your system,” says St. John.  “It’s your point of contact.  So it’s important to use a thermostat that can give you maximum return on your system investment.”

For that reason, St. John recommends a programmable thermostat.

Coordinated with your schedule

Programmable thermostats work by reducing system use when your home is empty, so you don’t waste money on heating and cooling an empty home.  They do this by running according to a schedule that you program based on the hours that you are home.

“Changing your heating and cooling settings for different times of day can help you save money,” he says. “ A programmable thermostat makes those changes for you automatically, synchronizing your heating and cooling with your life.”

Set for savings

To program a thermostat for the best mix of comfort and energy efficiency, St. John recommends the following settings.

For summer:

• Set your thermostat for 78 degrees when you’re home
• Set it for 85 degrees when you’re away
• Set it for 82 degrees when you’re asleep

For winter:

• Set your thermostat for 68 degrees when you are home
• Set it for 60 degrees when you are away
• Set it for 60 degrees when you are sleeping

During the transitional months of spring and fall, St. John recommends setting the thermostat based on personal preference, using summer and winter’s settings as a guide.

There’s more to it than temperature

While temperature is the main factor affecting your comfort, St. John says that it’s not the only one.

“Humidity plays a huge role in comfort.  You know how the weather report says it’s 90 but it feels like 100?  That’s humidity.  Moisture levels in the air affect the way the air feels on your skin.”

If your thermostat offers individual humidity control, it can change how your air feels without big changes in temperature.  Which means more energy-efficient cooling and heating.  Systems with variable speed can also help control humidity levels by drawing air across the coil slowly to remove more moisture on startup.

Find your perfect thermostat.

BETLEM Residential currently offers several different models of programmable thermostat:

View BETLEM's Programmable Thermostats

It was warm just a minute ago…

Prepare your home for Fall’s unpredictable cold snaps.

Summer was great while it lasted, but now the colder weather is on the way.  In Fall, the temperatures can drop at a moment’s notice.  Help keep your home consistently comfortable with these helpful Fall tips for fighting unexpected cold snaps.

Don’t let cold walk through the front door

Doors are great for people and pets.  Unfortunately, cold will also try to sneak in every time a door is opened. And it will try to force its way in through leaking seals around your doors even when they’re closed.  Replace worn or insufficient weatherstripping to preserve the barrier between cold and comfort.

Don’t let messy weather walk all over your house

When cold weather hits unexpectedly, the change in temperatures can often bring rain.  Compound that with the large assortment of leaves on the lawn, and you have a recipe for a dirty floor.  Try playing a mat inside the front door to help keep rain, leaves and even unexpected snow from being tracked all throughout your home.

Make sure your furnace is in shape

The best time to repair or maintain your furnace or heat pump is before you really need it.  Schedule an appointment with the trusted HVAC professionals at Betlem Residential to get a system checkup, to make sure you’re squared away before it becomes an emergency.

Performing a system check will also make sure your furnace, air handler, heat pump or air conditioner are all ready for the up-and-down temperatures that Fall can bring, as the weather goes back and forth between wet, dry, hot and cold.

Get out the caulking gun

Small holes can mean small air leaks.  And small air leaks are all it takes to let the warmth inside your home escape into the wild.  Caulk small holes and cracks yourself, or find a local handyman to give you a hand. Pay close attention to areas around doors and windows, where weathered wood can start to break down.

Clear the way for melting water

Fall is a great time to clean gutters and downspouts.  By creating a clear path for melting water to escape later on in winter, you can prevent the formation of ice blockages that can weigh down gutters and damage shingles.

Let your furnace breathe

Your air handler or furnace is going to be working overtime as the weather gets colder.  Make sure it has unrestricted airflow with a clean furnace filter.  Drier winter weather can also produce more dust, so checking your filter now will help keep your air cleaner as the seasons change.

Don’t get hosed

Before the cold weather arrives, it’s smart to disconnect your hoses from outside faucets.  If they’re connected during freezing temperatures, the ice inside can expand and cause damage to the hoses and even your pipes.   For an extra layer of protection, shut off the water supply to each faucet, drain the pipe and add an insulated faucet protector to hold in heat and stop ice from forming.

It’s the humidity

If you have a whole-home humidifier, Fall is the perfect time to check the pad, and replace it if necessary.  That way, you’re ready to fight off static shocks and damage to your furnishings before they start.

Stay warm and save!

Want to get better heating performance while lowering monthly energy costs? Follow these tips below to increase your home’s heating efficiency:

Choose a system with automatic, precision control

The newest technology will automatically provide just the right amount of heat and airflow to keep your home perfectly comfortable, regardless of the temperature outside. Lennox developed the SLP98V gas furnace with innovative Precise Comfort™ technology to make automatic adjustments—in increments as small as 1%—for the ultimate temperature control. Custom settings can be selected for effortless year-round comfort.

Take advantage of dual-fuel options

You can enjoy even better efficiency with a gas furnace that’s designed to be paired with an electric heat pump. Dual-fuel systems seamlessly alternate between heating with electricity when temperatures are above freezing, and heating with more efficient gas when it’s colder outdoors.

The simplest advice: turn it down

Saving energy on your home’s heating can be as simple as turning down your thermostat at night or while you’re away during the day. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easy. Keeping your thermostat between 68-72°F while you’re at home—and lower while you’re asleep or away—can help reduce your heating bill dramatically.

Honeywell Home Backup Generators From Betlem Residential

Protect your home and family—everyday, whether you are home or away. Home, family, assets—the things that matter most—remain protected during a power outage with the installation of a Honeywell standby generator. It’s the reliable answer that ensures necessities, conveniences and amenities are always available, automatically backed up when the power goes out. Visit Betlem.com to learn more.

At home or away, know you’re protected with a Honeywell backup generator.

Take a glance around your home and you’ll see a thousand reasons to protect what you’ve worked for: treasured photographs, a piece of furniture passed through generations, and most important, those who matter most to you. You’ve earned the lifestyle you lead, and now the name you’ve trusted in your home for decades will help you keep everything running in the event of a power outage. Power loss is more than an inconvenience—it can quickly affect the safety and security of your family and your possessions. Honeywell generators will help you protect what matters most.


A Honeywell backup generator takes care.

Reliable electricity is easy to take for granted—at the touch of switch it’s almost always there. And while weather-related outages make news across the country, demand on an aging power grid is making brownouts an all too common occurrence. Your home relies on power more than ever before to run your refrigeration, lights,well pump, sump pump, appliances, home offices, entertainment systems and more. Trust a Honeywell automatic backup generator to protect what matters most during a power outage, whether you’re home or away.

It fuels automatically. 

A permanently installed backup generator is fueled automatically, much like your furnace or other natural-gas or liquid propane powered appliances. The generator is connected to your existing fuel supply to deliver clean, worry-free power. If you’re away from home when the power goes out, you won’t have to worry about a thing.

It starts and stops automatically. 

Just like your heating and cooling system is controlled by a thermostat, a Honeywell generator is controlled by a transfer switch that senses when utility power fails, starting the generator automatically within seconds. When utility power resumes, your Honeywell generator shuts itself down and automatically switches back to utility power. It even “exercises” itself automatically once a week, starting and stopping to ensure it’s ready for the next power outage.

Premium features are standard on Honeywell backup generators.

Mobile LinkTM Remote Monitoring
Every Honeywell backup generator comes complete with Mobile LinkTM, our new wireless remote monitoring system that lets you check on your generator’s status and receive timely notifications when something is needed using your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Aluminum Enclosure
Also standard is a sturdy aluminum enclosure that resists corrosion for long life, even in salt-air, coastal climates.

SyncTM 2.0 Transfer Switch
The SyncTM 2.0 transfer switch is also included, to provide more backup power through smart load management.

Comprehensive 5-YEAR Warranty
One of the best available, ensuring your peace of mind. 

Expert advice to help make your system run better.

Let a Betlem Residential's professionals help you enjoy longer system life and greater comfort.

As we all know, a heating and cooling system is a substantial investment for any homeowner to make. So how can you make sure you get the most comfort out of your system for the longest time?  Ask our experts.

Below is some good advice for homeowners looking to maximize their comfort and the longevity of their heating and cooling equipment.

Get Professional Help

First and foremost, getting your system inspected by a Betlem Residential's NATE trained HVAC professionals before peak heating or cooling season.   Letting us give your system the once-over every spring and fall can do more for longevity and performance than nearly anything else.

Spring and fall are the best times because you want our pros checking your system out before you really need it.

A fall inspection is especially important for customers in the northern United States, because the increased cold of winter places a particularly strenuous demand on HVAC equipment.

A system that’s not in good working order will have to work a lot harder to cool your home.  That wastes a lot of energy.  It also puts a lot of stress on the components, which can reduce system life.

What Betlem Residential will do

During a professional inspection, there are several things  Betlem Residential will do.

• Check the filter status. Dirty filters make the system work harder because it’s pulling air through greater resistance.  Dirty filters also affect the quality of the air in your home.
• Check refrigerant charge. A system with too little refrigerant will have to run longer, wasting energy and creating extra system stress.  A system with too much refrigerant won’t cool very efficiently, and will also suffer damage as it runs.
• Check electrical connections. Over time, screws and connectors can come loose, which can create arcing and sparks that could damage electrical components like control boards, compressors and blower motors.
• Clean coils. The outdoor coil can gather dust and dirt, harming efficiency.  The indoor coil can likewise become jammed with household dust, which increases energy use and can even cause the coil to freeze over.

Regular maintenance will prolong your system life. This becomes important as your system nears the end of its life.

The average system life is around 11 years, but 15 to 17 years is not unheard of.  

What you can do yourself

The most important thing a homeowner can do to preserve system life is a regular check of the filter.  Every home is different, but typically, you’re looking at getting 1 to 3 months out of your filter.  Any longer than that, and your system is going to have to work against the bottleneck of a clogged filter.

Installing a programmable thermostat can extend system life and reduce energy use.  “A programmable thermostat lets your system run at peak performance when you’re home, but then it ramps down system use when the house is empty.

Although thermostats vary, the simplicity and intuitive scheduling found in most modern programmable thermostats makes them easy to set up and operate.  Of course, your dealer can always help guide you if needed.

Prepare your HVAC for winter with preventive maintenance

While the changing season provides a great opportunity for homeowners to save on HVAC costs by opening windows and temporarily powering down units, it will soon be time to turn on the heat.

Will your system be ready to handle this year’s chill?

Regular preventive maintenance, performed twice a year, can help your system keep up with seasonal temperature swings. Plus, it can increase HVAC performance and help you avoid costly emergency repairs—because no one wants to be left without heat in the middle of a snowstorm. While most newer heating systems require little maintenance, a quick tune-up can greatly extend the life of your HVAC equipment, ensuring it always runs at peak efficiency.

As always, major furnace maintenance should be handled by Betlem Residential's licensed HVAC technicians. But there are some steps you can take on your own that can result in a more comfortable winter:

Power down

Turn off all power to the unit before performing any maintenance; wait for the blower to stop.

Replace filters

Replace air filters at least once every three months. Dirty filters can cause your system to work harder, resulting in lower efficiency.

Run a sound check

Turn your unit on, and check for unusual sounds, like banging or rattling.

Look for signs of moisture

Check for moisture on windows, or rust or dirt accumulations on the vent pipe. This can indicate improper operation.

Assess the room temperature

Check your thermostat’s temperature while the unit is on to ensure rooms are reaching their full comfort potential.

If, during your basic checklist rundown you discover any unusual noises, excess moisture or other signs your unit is not functioning properly, contact Betlem Residential's certified HVAC technicians. Our technicians will perform a variety of diagnostic procedures in addition to regular pre-season maintenance. This will ensure that all parts are cleaned, drained and lubricated, and all assembly and burner controls are working correctly. A thorough inspection will also verify that the heat exchanger is doing its job and the flue system is free of cracks and corrosion.

Once maintenance is complete and your system is running at peak capacity, you can relax in the comfort of knowing your system will provide ample and consistent heat throughout the season.

Turn summer health sunny side up with whole-home filtration

As U.S. heat waves reach record highs this summer in many states, a large portion of the population is experiencing a great deal of discomfort due to excess heat and humidity. But the temperature isn’t the only thing rising—so is the risk.

While many can stay out of harm’s way by staying cool and hydrated, the risk is even greater to those who suffer from respiratory ailments. Especially in metropolitan areas, where poor air quality accompanies skyrocketing temps.

That’s because during a heat wave, the sun’s rays virtually “cook” the outdoor air, mixing with the excess chemical compounds it contains. This “soup” it creates combines with the air’s naturally occurring nitrogen oxide, resulting in a smog of ground-level gas. When this happens, breathing becomes difficult, leaving those with respiratory illness more susceptible to illness and infection. Add this to the excess amount of allergens—such as seasonal pollens and molds already present in the summer air—and things can become downright unbearable.

Short of jumping in the nearest swimming pool, the first line of defense for many is to retreat indoors, where air conditioning can provide cooling relief. However, the same airborne particles plaguing individuals in summer heat can follow them indoors, where they becoming trapped inside and continue to circulate.

A whole-home filtration system, like Lennox’ new Healthy Climate® Carbon Clean 16 Media Air Cleaner, can provide families with much-needed relief rom these potentially harmful particles, dramatically improving the quality of indoor air. Compatible with any HVAC system, the HC16 provides hospital-grade filtration of airborne allergens and other particles, with a removable MERV 16 Precision Pleat™ media filter that eliminates more than 95% of allergy-aggravating particles from indoor air. These include pet dander, pollen, dust mites, viruses, bacteria, mold and fungi—all factors that can further contribute to and aggravate asthma and respiratory illnesses.

What’s more, the Carbon Clean 16 reduces ground-level ozone—a known lung irritant—from indoor air, converting it into clean, healthy oxygen while also neutralizing odors and airborne pollutants before they’re circulated back into the air.

For more information on indoor air quality issues, its impacts and more home solutions, visit http://betlem.com/air-quality-home.htm.

A few small energy-smart changes can add up to a big difference.

With energy costs going up every day, there’s never been a better time to start thinking about conservation. Changes don’t have to be drastic, either. Every little bit helps, because over time those little things add up to big savings.

Get yourself in hot water.

Water heaters use up to 18% of your total energy bill every month*, which gives you a big opportunity for big savings. The more you do to hold in the heat, the better.

Consider buying a water heater blanket, a simple insulated wrap that goes around your water heater, to reduce lost warmth. Also consider insulating the pipes in your basement that lead to and from your water heater. This preserves warmth on your water’s journey to the faucet or showerhead so you can set your faucet at a cooler temperature to stay comfortable.

Insulate yourself against waste.

Is your attic properly insulated? Millions of them aren’t. Without adequate insulation, you’re making your air conditioner or furnace work harder than it should to keep you comfortable. And you’re letting money drift up into the atmosphere. A small investment in proper insulation will help you hold on to every last dollar, while making your home feel better all year long.

Invest in energy-smart comfort.

Even if your home heating and cooling system is only a few years old, advancements in efficiency may make replacing your system a smart move. Air conditioners like the Lennox® XC21 can offer energy efficiency ratings of up to 26 SEER as part of a system. That can save you hundreds of dollars every year.

Likewise, with fossil fuel costs going up, a furnace like the Lennox SLP98V can help save money all winter long, because its AFUE rating of 98.2 means it converts more than 98% of the fuel it burns into useable heat. That’s serious efficiency.

Put your comfort on a schedule.

Heating and cooling your home can account for half of your total energy bill. So if your system runs less, the savings will become apparent immediately. One of the ways you can reduce use without sacrificing your perfectly comfortable air is by installing a programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats like the ComfortSense® 7000 or iComfort Wi-Fi®can adapt your heating and cooling to your life by running your furnace or air conditioner less often during the hours that nobody is home.

Make a switch with your lighting.

A single light bulb may not seem like much of an energy drain. But when you think about how many rooms you have in your home, and the fact that each room probably uses multiple light bulbs, you can see the opportunity for savings.

It’s probably a no-brainer to replace standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving CFL or LED bulbs, but why not take it one step further? Consider putting some of your interior and exterior lights on a timer to limit daily use. You can increase outdoor security by having lights that come on automatically when it’s dark, without accidentally leaving them on all day.

Also consider using motion-activated light switches for rooms that see little use.  These switches turn the light on when they sense movement, and turn it off again after a few minutes when movement stops. So you’ll have light when you need it, but won’t risk leaving a light on when you leave the room.

Switch your showerhead.

Every drop of hot water that comes out of your showerhead is a drop that had to be heated in the basement. So it stands to reason that the less water you use in the shower, the more you’ll save on your energy and water bills.

Unfortunately, the words “low-flow showerhead” used to be practically synonymous with an unpleasant showering experience. But that’s changed. New designs can help you use less water and still enjoy a refreshing shower experience.

*SOURCE:  http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tips-water-heating