Deck 6: Taming the Energy Hogs in Your Home

Question 1

Identify the components of the HVAC system that should be checked at least annually to maintain good performance.

Answer 1

Among other items, air conditioner refrigerant level and compressor operation should be checked.In furnaces, combustion chambers should be checked for cracks or corrosion, blower motor belts should be checked for wear and bearings should be lubricated if necessary.In all HVAC units the air filters should be checked regularly and replaced as frequently as necessary.

Question 2

Room air conditioners do not work well in confined, well insulated spaces.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Identify two methods the amount of energy required by tank type water heaters for heating water, and the resulting cost, can be reduced without replacing the unit.

Answer 3

Raise the temperature of the incoming cold water so that less energy is required to heat it.
Lower the required hot water temperature.

Question 4

____________________ in homes are used to move water from place to place.

Question 5

Discuss how to achieve the best economy in cooking.Include an example in your response.

Question 6

Like clothes washers, ____________________ run on preprogrammed cycles that cannot be adjusted much to save energy.

Question 7

Discuss the power sources of space heaters and implications this has for their use.

Question 8

____________________ heaters provide constant, diffuse heat, but need an air tight and insulated room in which to work effectively.

Question 9

Tank type water heaters that store heated water use energy at a slower rate than the other major type of water heater, known as a tankless or ____________________ heater.

Question 10

Air duct leaks are usually easy to detect.

Question 11

Maximizing the energy efficiency of an HVAC system means controlling two factors: the area (volume of air) in the home that the system must heat and cool, and the temperature level to which the system must heat or cool that area.

Question 12

Describe how forced air systems function.

Question 13

If your home currently has a whole house HVAC system for heating, cooling, or both, you may be able to save money by dividing the system into two or more ____________________.

Question 14

Most residential water heaters in the U.S.are tanks ranging in size from 5-20 gallons.

Question 15

Discuss the mounting requirements of room air conditioners.

Question 16

Window or wall-mounted air conditioners are the cooling equivalent of ____________________.

Question 17

Central heating systems are divided into two types, forced air and ____________________.

Question 18

Whether or not your home has a zoned HVAC system, a(n) ____________________ is a must for the efficiency of any system.

Question 19

Explain strategies available for saving energy when using a washing machine.

Question 20

The two main types of space heaters are defined by their method of transferring heat.