Total Air and Heat

Plano Air Conditioning Company (Total Air & Heat) has a variety of tools and services which can drastically lower your heating (and cooling ) costs.

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of good news coming from the news these days. Even as oil prices finally began to drop, OPEC slashed production to keep profit margins from slipping. And that means the cost to heat homes this winter continues to rise. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that the average home oil heating bill will climb by 22% over last year’s costs. Since heating and cooling accounts for nearly half of your home’s energy consumption, these increases can put a strain on already tight budgets. So what can you do now to keep your home heating bills down and still remain warm?

1. Do your own energy assessment.   Visit ENERGY STAR Home  Website (www.energystar.gov/homeadvisor) to get specific recommendations on how to make your home more energy efficient.

2.  Get a professional Energy Analysis.  Many heating and cooling contractors will perform these checks as a free service to the community.  You’ll learn what you can do to save energy while you stay comfortable.

3.  Evaluate alternative energy appliances.  As technology continues to evolve and greater interest is placed on energy efficient and renewable energy appliances, there are many more choices for homeowners than just a few years ago.  You can get a list of energy efficient appliances at www.energystar.gov.

4.  Check for rebates. Many appliances and home improvements that increase your home’s efficiency help you save big at tax time - and who doesn’t appreciate that?  (Thanks, Uncle Sam!)  Plus, utility companies often offer special discounts and rebates locally which can boost your savings even higher.

Steve Lauten is president of Total Air and Heat Company, a residential and light commercial Heating and Air Conditioning Company in Plano that’s been serving the Dallas Metroplex since 1957. He’s immediate past president of the North Texas chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. For more information, he can be reached at (972) 535-8066.