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East Oregonian
EASTERN OREGON MARKETPLACE
Tuesday, February, 13, 2018
FAMILY FEATURES
M
any homeowners think
big when trying to find
effective solutions to sky-
rocketing heating bills,
like replacing the furnace or installing
new windows, but there are plenty
of smaller projects that can make
a difference when it comes to your
energy savings this winter.
Consider these tips to keep your
home cozy without your energy bill
putting a damper on the season:
BUSTING MYTHS
ABOUT ELECTRIC
HEAT PUMPS
Like any technology, ductless
heat pumps need to be used
properly, and under the right
conditions, in order to achieve
maximum value. Learn how
to get the most benefit from
a ductless heat pump by
debunking four of the biggest
misconceptions about these
devices.
Take advantage of solar heat.
Installing solar panels is one sure way
to capture the sun’s energy, but there
are other ways to harness that heat.
Unobscured windows and skylights can
let the rays in, and with them comes
some heat. Leave curtains open during
the day and trim foliage outdoors to
provide a clear path for sunlight. Just
be sure windows are well-sealed so
you’re not offsetting any heat gain with
a cool draft.
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Install or upgrade your heat
pump.
Heat pumps work differently than
traditional cooling and heating systems.
They recycle heat found in the air
and ground, moving thermal energy
between indoors and outdoors instead
of generating it from scratch by burning
fossil fuels. When properly installed, an
air-source heat pump can deliver one-and-
one-half to three times more heat energy
to a home than the electrical energy it
consumes, according to the U.S. Department
of Energy. They can save electricity costs by
30-40 percent.
In particularly cold climates, technology
is making it possible to reap energy-
saving benefits. An option such as the
Hyper-Heating Inverter ® from Mitsubishi
Electric Cooling & Heating offers a
significant advancement in heat pumps.
This technology uses an intelligent
compressor system to deliver heat even
when outdoor temperatures are as low as
-13 F, and a quick-start feature provides
warm air instantly.
Move furniture away from vents.
Free air flow is an important component
of efficient heating and obstructed vents
interrupt that process. Not only can
furniture be damaged from the continual
air flow of a vent, it can block the
circulation patterns that were intended
when your home’s ductwork was installed.
For optimum efficiency, avoid placing
furniture on top of vents, and if it’s
impossible to avoid, close those vents so
the airflow is directed elsewhere.
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Reverse your ceiling fans.
Adjust your hot water heater.
Your ceiling fans can play an important
role in air circulation. Leaving them off
will obviously make rooms warmer, but
some circulation can be a good thing. Most
fans offer a switch that lets you reverse
the fan direction, which pushes air upward
instead of down. This makes for less of a
cooling effect while still moving air for
better temperature distribution.
Not only can keeping the air comfortable
add up, so can heating water for basic
household functions. In fact, the U.S.
Department of Energy estimates that
water heating is the second largest
energy expense in most homes. However,
you may have your heater set higher than
necessary. For every 10-degree drop, you
can expect to reduce energy costs by 3-5
percent.
Install a programmable
thermostat.
A degree or two may not feel like much
of a difference, but it’s a change you’ll
definitely see on your energy bill. Just
a small adjustment in your standard
thermostat setting can result in reductions
of 5 or even 10 percent of your overall bill.
Another potential big-impact strategy: adjust
temperatures when you’re away from home.
A programmable thermostat will let you turn
temps down when no one is there to benefit
from the warmth, then bring them back up
shortly before you’re scheduled to return
home. When you’re away unexpectedly
or need to adjust your typical schedule, an
option like the kumo cloud ® mobile app
offered by Mitsubishi Electric Cooling
& Heating allows control of your home’s
cooling and heating system from your
smartphone or other connected device.
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Insulate the attic.
A poorly sealed or insulated attic can be
among a home’s largest energy drains.
Warm air naturally rises, but rather than
recirculating throughout the home, it may
be wasted if it’s just escaping out of the
attic. Sealing cracks and adding insulation
can help reduce this loss. Don’t overlook
the access door, which can allow warm
air to escape if it fits poorly or isn’t well-
sealed.
Find more options for managing
your energy expenses this winter at
mitsubishicomfort.com.
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Myth: They are more
expensive to run than oil or
gas heaters.
Fact: Multiple studies show
that electric heat pumps
save between $1,000-2,000
annually in energy costs,
depending on the system’s
efficiency, condition of the
original equipment and
climatic region.
Myth: They collect and
distribute bacteria.
Fact: All split-ductless heat
pumps have filters to gather
and capture bacteria before it
has a chance to grow. In fact,
many indoor units include
anti-allergy enzyme filters
designed to reduce germs,
bacteria and viruses in the
space.
Myth: They are only
suitable for new
construction.
Fact: Ductless and
hybrid (short duct run)
heat pumps can provide
superior efficiency levels
and improved comfort in all
homes, new and old.
Myth: They don’t work in
cold climates.
Fact: Some systems, such
as those offered by Mitsubishi
Electric Cooling & Heating,
offer a Hyper-Heat boost
for especially cold climates.
These systems deliver 100
percent heating capacity
at 5 F outdoor ambient
temperature and offer
performance down to -13 F
outdoor ambient temperature.