How to Work Energy Efficiency and Conservation Into Your South Plains Home

Digital Thermostat and male hand

Having indoor air comfort and good indoor air quality is important to South Plains homeowners. This means cooling your home during the summer and heating your home during cooler winter months. Unfortunately, achieving indoor air comfort can result in high energy costs. You can maintain your home’s indoor air comfort while maximizing energy savings through energy efficiency and energy conservation.

Many people use the terms “energy efficiency” and “energy conservation” interchangeably. However, the terms refer to two different methods of saving energy costs:

· Energy efficiency – Energy efficiency improves the way your home uses energy. The goal is to maintain the same level of indoor comfort while using less energy. To do this, a homeowner can upgrade to appliances that use energy more effectively, like those with an Energy Star certification.

· Energy conservation – Energy conservation means taking steps to use less energy. In this case, the goal is to cut back on the amount of energy that’s used. Conservation methods may require a bit more work on the residents behalf, but ultimately result in energy savings.

There are a number of steps homeowners can take to combine energy efficiency and energy conservation in order to save on energy costs:

Electricity Savings

  • Be sure to turn off lights whenever you leave the room, even if you expect to return shortly.
  • Unplug appliances that aren’t in use, including the washer and dryer. Even if the appliance isn’t actively being operated, they still use power.
  • Unplug electronics and chargers when they’re not in use. A simple way to accomplish this is to plug all electronics into a single power strip. This way, you can turn off power to all items simultaneously.
  • When replacing or upgrading appliances, look for the Energy Star logo. This logo means the appliance has been certified as using less energy to operate.
  • Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which can last longer and use substantially less energy.

Heating and Cooling Savings

  • Install a programmable thermostat. When programmed, the thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature when no one’s home in order to use less energy. The system will return the home to comfortable levels just prior to your scheduled arrival.
  • In winter months, set the thermostat to 68 degrees. Most people will be comfortable at this level by simply wearing an extra layer of clothing.
  • In summer months, set the thermostat to 78 degrees. When it’s hot outside, this temperature is perfect for feeling cool indoors.
  • Change the air filter in the HVAC system regularly. Dirty air filters can restrict airflow, which makes the HVAC system work harder and use more energy to heat and cool the home.
  • Use drapes to block heat from the sun in summer months and to prevent heat loss in winter months.
  • Schedule annual maintenance for the HVAC equipment. This will ensure the system works efficiently and can diagnose issues before they become big. Additionally, annual maintenance will ensure fuel burning appliances are properly vented, therefore, improving indoor air quality.
  • Reduce the temperature on the water heater to 120 degrees. This temperature is comfortable for cleaning and bathing while reducing the chance of scalding.

Air Leaks

Air leaks are the biggest cause of energy loss in a home. Address them by visually inspecting the home’s interior and exterior. Common areas for air leaks include doors, windows, outlet covers, places where plumbing exits insulated walls and areas where two types of building materials meet. Gaps should be filled with caulk or weatherstripping. Sealing air leaks stops heat loss, improves indoor air quality and allows the HVAC system to work more efficiently.

For additional information on how energy conservation and improving your home’s energy efficiency can reduce your utility costs, contact the experts at Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning today. We’ve served the HVAC needs of the South Plains of Texas for more than 50 years.

Serving Areas

We are proud to offer service to all of Lubbock, TX and surrounding areas, including:

  • Abernathy
  • Amherst
  • Anton
  • Brownfield
  • Crosbyton
  • Dickens
  • Floydada
  • Hale Center
  • Idalou
  • Lamesa
  • Levelland
  • Littlefield
  • Lorenzo
  • Lubbock
  • Meadow
  • Morton
  • Muleshoe
  • New Deal
  • New Home
  • O’Donnell
  • Olton
  • Petersburg
  • Plainview
  • Post
  • Ralls
  • Ransom Canyon
  • Ropesville
  • Shallowater
  • Slaton
  • Smyer
  • Southland
  • Sundown
  • Tahoka
  • Tokio
  • Welch
  • Whiteface
  • Wilson
  • Wolfforth
  • Woodrow

 

(806) 589-1014 - Call us today!

24-Hour Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Heating Repair

With more than 50 years’ experience providing heating, ventilation and air conditioning services for residential and commercial customers, we at Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning are proud to be the South Plains TX area’s comfort specialists. We specialize in system replacement, preventive maintenance and repair, all with the goal of keeping your heating, cooling, refrigeration and plumbing systems functioning at maximum efficiency.

Why BTAC?

We are your one-stop provider.

We are always at your service.

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What Customers Love About Us

Michael Villarreal
Michael Villarreal
January 15, 2024
Had Tony come in (BROSIG'S Custom Taxidermy) he was fast,professional, friendly and informative. Got us back up and running
CM Livingston
CM Livingston
December 20, 2023
I am so thankful for BTAC and the guys they sent out to repair a major hot and cold water leak under our slab. They knew what they were doing, and were very professional and polite, and I might add compassionate. They are an asset to the company!
Jason Crites
Jason Crites
August 26, 2023
Joshua K is amazing he came out after hours and had a simple fix that got our AC fixed right away!
Rick Rodriguez
Rick Rodriguez
August 13, 2023
To the credit of BTAC and it's management, I had a frustrating experience with them on a call out for a problem with a blower motor. I made my opinion known and contacted them through email to express it. They responded, sent out new technicians and made it right. That doesn't happen very often these days, and it's good to see a company show it cares about that. If you call these folks to come out, and your experience is what you expected, let them know, they'll work with you. 👍
James Voyles
James Voyles
July 27, 2023
Luis was an incredible technician. Very professional and friendly! Can’t recommend him enough. Also prompt service, thanks for the help!
Cad Dunlap
Cad Dunlap
June 8, 2023
I'm new to the Lubbock area and Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning was the first company we called. They had someone at our house to help in an hour and the service man had our AC fixed in 30 minutes. Their customer service was great from the receptionist who answered the phone to the hvac professional who fixed our AC!
MARK BENEDICT
MARK BENEDICT
June 1, 2023
Luis was great. Fast, efficient and knowledgeable. Thank you!

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Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning
128 Slaton Road
Lubbock, Texas 79404

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Phone: (806) 589-1014

State HVAC License: TACLA00112807C
State Plumbing License: M40449

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