(ARA) – If you’re like many Americans, you have recently made home improvements to lessen your impact on the environment. While you’ve already taken big strides toward saving energy – and money – you can conserve even more by making sure your new systems are running at peak efficiency.

Whether you recently outfitted your home with solar panels or invested in a new heating system or water heater, here are some tips to make sure you are saving energy at the highest capacity.

Solar panels

Solar panels capture free energy from the sun, but they can lose a lot of their capacity if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Depending upon where you live and other variable conditions, you may need to clean panels as often as once a month. A dirty panel can reduce the efficiency of an entire array by up to 40 percent. Since panels can sometimes be hard to reach, you may want to consider investing in a cleaning system like Mr. LongArm’s Pro Curve Solar Cleaning Kit, which allows you to reach and clean difficult-to-access panels.

The system features two unique cleaning tools, a washer/squeegee that attaches to a curved extension pole as well as an extendable flow thru pole and cleaning brush that can be attached to a garden hose. To view videos on how to clean solar panels, visit www.mrlongarm.com.

Heating systems

A new energy-efficient heating system only gets you part of the way to optimal efficiency. Before the heating season starts each year, you should make sure your HVAC filters and vents are cleaned, as you will see an immediate loss in efficiency if there is any blockage.

Another aspect of heating efficiency has nothing to do with your heating system. Making sure your home is properly sealed and insulated can save you up to 20 percent on energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program.

Water heaters

No matter how large your home or your family, you can easily make your water heater more efficient by turning down the temperature on the unit to 120 degrees F. The lower temperature means the heater doesn’t work as hard, and your water will still be hot enough to take a bath or wash dishes.

You may also want to consider a tankless water heater, which only heats the water when it’s demanded. These systems also take up less space in your utility room by running the cold water through heated coils before it goes through the pipes to your sink or shower.

If you’ve already taken steps to become energy-efficient, you understand the benefits. By making your current systems even more effective and economical, you can see even greater rewards for going green.