Heating and Cooling Tips from the Maryland Public Services Commission

Heating/Cooling Systems

If your home is heated or cooled by an electric heat pump, following these tips can help reduce your electric bill:

• Clean or change filters monthly; keep return air grilles and room registers clean.

• Make sure ductwork is properly sealed and insulated to prevent leakage, especially around the return. Check ductwork in attics and crawl spaces.

• Keep plants, shrubs, and other obstacles at least two feet away from the heat pump; keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and ice in the winter.

• Make sure your furnace has a pre-season check-up for efficiency and safety; ensure that a trained service technician checks your unit at least once every three years.

• When replacing your heating system, consider a multi-fuel furnace.

Remember—don’t turn off your heating and/or cooling system when you are not at home. Instead, turn the thermostat up or down a few degrees. Turning the system off means that is has to work twice as hard to get the rooms up to temperature; this uses more electricity. Turning back your thermostat by just a few degrees in the winter and up a few degrees in the summer can help save energy. Changing the thermostat frequently can also increase your energy costs. Instead, consider buying a programmable or adaptive recovery thermostat.

Ceiling and fl oor fans spread cool and warm air throughout a room and can assist your heating or cooling system and help keep your energy bill down. However, electric space heaters should be used sparingly, as these units can increase your energy use and your electric bill.