Are you frightened by high gas and electric bills? Don’t be. While keeping your home warm through another Montgomery County winter can cost a small fortune, there are ways you can keep your energy bills low so they won’t break your budget this year. All that’s necessary is some vigilance and mindfulness.
We at Huber Heights Heating & Cooling compiled the following list of simple tips to help you lower your gas and electric bills:
Ten Tips to Keep Your Energy Bills Low
1. Replace Your Air Filter
Keep in mind as you go about cleaning your home that it is essential to change your air filter frequently.
The purpose of an air filter is to stop debris like pollen, dust, animal fur, and lint from the clean air circulating through your home’s heating and cooling system.
Air filters not only help to maintain the HVAC in ideal working order, but they also keep it from having to consume excessive energy. When your filter is clogged, it forces your blower to work harder than it should by essentially smothering your system and leading to higher energy costs.
2. Add More Insulation to Your Home
During the winter, the harsh cold of the frigid temperatures outside can compromise the warmth within your home. One of the most common reasons for this comes from poor insulation. Insulation shields your home by helping it retain its heat. It keeps the warm air inside during the winter and the cold air inside during the summer. Because of this, it is necessary to check the insulation in your residence. You’ll want to examine everything from your walls and pipes to your attic and crawl spaces. Decent insulation will decrease the need for energy and, thus, your energy bills.
3. Dress Following the Weather
This is probably the most affordable and most practical way to stay comfortable indoors all year round while keeping your energy bills low. Whatever the temperature, dress heavy or light according to the season. Instead of adjusting the thermostat, wear shorts and t-shirts during the summer. During the winter, throw on a sweater or some thermals.
4. Lower the Temp on Your Water Heater
One notable cost concerning your energy bill is the price of keeping your water warm. A large portion of this expense comes from the heater retaining a reserve of warm water in its tank. Reducing the temperature by a few degrees can save some money from your utility bill. The suggested temperature for heaters should not be more than 120 degrees. Also, if you and your family ever leave home for vacation or a trip, you can turn the heat off until you come back home.
5. Look into an Energy-Efficient Programmable Thermostat
Did you know you can reduce the quantity of energy you consume and lower your electric bill by resisting the need to adjust the thermostat? If this is a challenge for you or your family, you should contemplate having a programmable thermostat installed.
With a programmable thermostat, you can program the temperature according to the time of day and leave it. The thermostat will adjust on its own, and this will make your home more energy-efficient, which will lower your bill.
Make sure to set the thermostat to adapt to the times when no one is home, or you are asleep. This will also save you money as well.
6. Use Cold Water to Wash Your Clothing
The washing of clothing uses up a substantial amount of energy. The best method for saving on energy costs when doing so is as simple as changing the temperature of the water when you wash your clothing and switch to cold. Providing warm water to your washer makes the water heater work hard and expend a large amount of electricity. To put it simply, switching to cold water will save you money.
7. Seal Off Air Leaks
Did you know you can use a candle to find air leaks in your home?
It’s simple. Turn off the air and all your fans. Light a candle and take it around the house, especially around doors and windows. Where the candle flickers, you likely have an air leak.
These air leaks, over time, have a profound impact on your heating and cooling bills. Be sure to use caulking and weatherstripping and replace broken seals. Doing so will not only save you money but will improve the overall comfort in your home.
8. Check Your Appliances
Appliances that aren’t functioning at their best are a drain on energy. Be sure to check all of your appliances regularly to make sure they’re not only working correctly, but also they are clean. For larger machines, an annual check-up is sufficient. If you decide to replace your devices, be sure to check the energy effectiveness of the replacement.
9. Check Out Prepaid Electric Bill Plans
One prospect not often considered is the usefulness of changing from a long-term contract to a prepaid plan with your electric company. With a prepaid plan, you can pay only for the electricity you use. Doing so is also a better way to track the causes of spikes in energy usage.
10. Get a Furnace Tune-Up
Last but not least, getting an annual furnace tune-up saves you money in the short term and in the long run. The benefits include improved efficiency, which results in optimal heating performance, in addition to reducing the risk of system failure, a disaster no one wants to face in the winter. Not only that, it ensures appropriate airflow, reduces the need for repairs, and keeps you and your family safe during the cold months of winter. It also maintains your manufacturer’s warranty. And the list goes on.
To schedule a tune-up today, call Huber Heights Heating & Cooling at 937-226-9675, or schedule an appointment now at www.huberheightsheatingandcooling.com/schedule-now/.
