(NewsUSA) -The COVID-19
pandemic has rapidly turned the "new normal" household into hubs for all
family life, moving the workplace, grade school, college,
extracurricular activities, meals, gyms, and hobbies, all under one
roof.Although this new "Full House" dynamic could forge family bonds, it
will also cause energy use and utility bills to skyrocket with all home
technologies, appliances and systems running overtime at unprecedented
levels – making optimal, energy-efficient home climate control a
critical part of both keeping everyone comfortable AND minimizing
utility bills due to significantly more time spent at home.The good news
is that families can successfully prevent a utility bill blitz this
winter by following a few simple steps. With home heating and cooling
accounting for nearly half of home energy use, small steps can go a long
way.* Ease Into Electric: According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute,
electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control.
Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products,
electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies
including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25 percent on
your energy bill.Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant
from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit,
where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.* Get "Smart"
About Climate Control: When it comes to smart home-temperature control,
there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems
have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without
additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create "smart" systems by
enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected
device or voice-operated home automation system.* Voice Your Preference:
Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that
enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device.
Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa
or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily
controlling the temperature more closely allows homeowners to be more
comfortable and improve energy savings.* Find Your Efficient Comfort
Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have
yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a
regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless
system. That will allow you to save energy heating and cooling spaces
where you and your family don’t spend a lot of time. This will multiply
savings as you’re not only needing less cooling, but you also gain from
a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.* Try Low-tech
Fixes: Simple changes can have a big impact. Take advantage of the sun’s
energy to heat your home by opening your south-facing curtains at
sunrise to make best use of "passive solar gain." Force down warm air.
Denser, cooler air stays closer to the ground, and warmer air rises. So,
force it downwards with a low-speed fan. Insulate and fill the gaps.
Warmed air leaking out around poorly sealed window frames, power
sockets, recessed light fittings, and other gaps is a big source of heat
loss in homes. Thick curtains help to insulate glass at
windows.Achieving a sense of peaceful co-existence in your increasingly
crowded, multi-functional home does not need to make your family members
hot under the collar. If a new system is right for you, many Fujitsu
systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as
the minimum standard set by the government.