With the cost of energy rising, there is no doubt that your heating and cooling bills are on the rise, too. There are many ways you can decrease your energy bills without even turning the dial on your thermostat. Regardless of the time of year it is, we have a list of tips and tricks to help lower your energy costs.
1. Insulate attic and seal windows and doors
Anytime cold or warm air is able to get into your home, the overall temperature is altered greatly. In return, your energy costs rise as you try to counter the change.
By spraying or installing insulation into your ceiling or attic, you are helping your home maintain a stable temperature. Insulation keeps the cold out and the heat in or vice versa (depending on the time of year). Don’t just stop there, though! Seal off any cracks that you find around windows and doors to prevent air from getting in or out.
2. Change all air filters
If you can’t remember the last time you changed your air filter, then it’s probably time replace it. We recommend changing your filter every 60-90 days. Having dirty air filters could be detrimental to your heating and cooling units. Not only does a dirty filter diminish the air quality that you are transmitting into your home, but it also causes your unit to work much harder than it has to in order to keep your home temperature where you want it to be. With the combination of your unit trying to keep up and the constant movement of your thermostat to adjust to the difference, your air filter could be costing you hundreds in your energy bills.
3. Stabilize the Temperature of Your Home
One easy way to create a cost-efficient home is to find a temperature that suits your family and leave it there. A good rule of thumb to remember is for every degree you move your thermostat, you can expect a three to five percent change on your energy bill. Your unit works hard to keep everything in your home the same temperature.
4. Replace your old thermostat with programmable or smart controls
If you’re looking into getting a new thermostat, consider replacing your old one with a programmable or smart control unit. These newer models allow you to set different temperatures based on the time of day. For example, if no one is home during the day, you could save money by dropping the temperature between 9AM-4PM during the winter months and then setting your comfortable temperature to kick back on in time for when you get home. With some models, you can even adjust the temperature directly from your phone. This can be nice when you’re traveling, so that you can alter the temperature of your home or even turn your unit off directly, based on how the weather is.
5. Install energy star equipment
The all-encompassing solution to creating an energy and cost-efficient home is to have energy star equipment installed. Not only can you save each month with a more energy efficient home, but in many cases you can claim a rebate after installation as well.
Being comfortable in your home shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. If you are interested in upgrading to energy star equipment to lower your energy costs, contact us to get exceptional energy cost saving units.
