Shaw Homes "Energy Efficiency 301 - Water Heater and Furnace" - New Homes Tulsa

Energy Efficiency 301 – Water Heater and Furnace

Insulating your water heater – As much as you enjoy a nice warm blanket during the winter, your water heater will pay you to wrap it up!  According to the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy), a fiberglass insulating blanket on a water heater that is in an unheated space can cut heat loss from your water heater by 25% to 40%, saving you 4%-9% on the average water-heating bill of $308.  A good water heater blanket runs about $30, and is easy to install.  Check with the manufacturer before installing one to make sure it’s right for your unit, and that you install it without blocking critical components.

Water heater temp – Check your water heater temperature setting and make sure that it is no higher than 125 degrees.  120 degrees is usually more than adequate for household water use, including showers and baths.  At 125 degrees you can still scald your skin.

Furnace health and your health –

·         When your air filters get dirty, your furnace will have to run more often to heat or cool your home.  The furnace is denied the volume of air necessary to push the required amount of hot air into the home.  With spring bringing dogs shedding their winter coats and high pollen count, your filters need far more attention than normal.  Add this task to your iPad, phone, or calendar to check your air filters every 30 days. 

·         DO NOT SKIMP ON AIR FILTERS!  When you are standing in the store looking at air filters and there is one for $7 and one for $16, the $7 filter seems like such a great deal.  It’s not.  The cheap air filters allow the pressure of your air system to pull more of the build-up on the filter into your system, causing both health problems and possible system failure down the road.

·         Have your system maintained twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.  Just like your car gets better gas mileage when it’s properly tuned, your HVAC will operate more efficiently when it’s properly maintained.  Also like your car, if problems are caught early, they usually cost far less to repair.  A local HVAC company you can call is Cartwright Heating and Cooling at (918)299-5161.

Shaw Homes uses water heaters that have a foam wrap inside the unit, making it energy efficient without you having to do anything other than setting the water temperature as low as you are comfortable with. 

Shaw Homes builds energy efficient homes in Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore, and the surrounding Tulsa area.  Our homes come with a 2 year/10 year warranty package, showing our commitment to happy customers, and that we stand behind the homes we build.

Shaw Homes has been building new homes in Broken Arrow since 1985.  With new home communities located in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore.  We also build homes on private land. 

To view new home floorplans, communities and more, spend some time checking out our website at www.ShawHomes.com.