Tips to Help You Save
Fall has finally arrived. Time to start thinking about the cooler weather that is just around the corner and how you can get your home prepared to keep you warm and cozy without the fear of outrageously high-energy bills.
Along with wasting money, being frivolous with our natural resources is a pretty scary thought as well. Conserving energy and saving money can go hand in hand with a little planning. There are several steps that you can take to lower your energy bills while at the same time reducing energy waste:
- Clear Airways and Vents
- Change Filters Regularly
- Cover Drafty Windows and Doors
- Use Energy Star Appliances
- Have an Annual HVAC Checkup
- Install a Programmable Thermostat
Clear Airways and Vents
The air ducts and vents that carry warm air throughout your home should always be kept completely uncovered and unblocked. Make sure there are no overhanging curtains, furniture, or appliances interfering with the air flow. Blocked vents cause your HVAC system to expend more energy as it works harder to deliver the air to each room. This translates to greater energy usage and higher costs for you.
Change Filters Regularly
Did you know that when air filters become clogged with dirt and debris it not only stifles airflow, preventing your HVAC system from working properly, it can also cause significant damage to your HVAC system? An air filter clogged by dirt restricts the airflow which causes the HVAC systems fan to work even harder, attempting to force the air through the dirty filter. This can cause the fan’s motor to burn up, overheating your system and causing permanent damage.
Cover Drafty Windows and Doors
Most department stores and hardware stores sell weatherproofing kits that can be used to seal off drafty windows in your home, keeping the cold air out and the warm air in. Any outside doors that are not in use can also be covered with the weatherproofing’s transparent plastic sheeting. Lined drapes will also help to keep the frigid weather outside where it belongs. In warmer months, lined drapes can be closed during the day to block out the heat, keeping your home cool and comfy without overworking your HVAC system’s cooling unit.
Choose Energy Star Appliances
Since 1991, the Federal government and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have enlisted a set of guidelines that are strictly focused on environmentally conscious ways to make homes and offices more energy efficient. The guidelines include the installation and use of appliances and products that are Energy Star-certified. Energy Star appliances reduce energy consumption to prevent waste. This includes HVAC systems, which are responsible for approximately 50% of the energy used in the home. By choosing an Energy Star certified HVAC system you can greatly reduce both your home’s energy consumption and your utility bills.
Schedule an Annual HVAC Checkup
having your HVAC system inspected yearly by a licensed professional can save you a lot of money dash not to mention aggravation dash in the future. An inspection will turn up any potential problems that could possibly turn into big trouble right in the middle of an extreme weather season when repair costs are at their highest. A little preventive maintenance can go along way and save you money.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat will keep the temperature in your home automatically adjusted even when you aren’t at home. No more trying to remember to re-set your thermostat before leaving for work or taking off for a long weekend away. By allowing this handy little device to do the work for you, you can reduce your home energy bill by as much as $100 per year. It will also decrease your HVAC system use, which will save on the need to replace filters more frequently.
Along with these HVAC – savvy tips, save yourself even more money and decrease energy use by putting these ideas into practice:
– Give your house a once over, inside and out, checking for holes, cracks, and other openings where air can enter or escape. Use insulating foam or caulk to seal them.
– Switch to LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs. Older incandescent-type bulbs can use as much as 25% more energy than LED bulbs, which can last up to 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs as well. This will save you even more money by reducing the need to replace bulbs as frequently.
– Attach your home’s lights to timers or motion detectors so that they will be automatically shut off when not in use. Shut off computers and monitors when they’re not being used for extended periods of time. Plug appliances such as televisions, stereos, and video game systems into a power strip so that they can be easily turned off by flipping a single switch.
– Reduce the temperature on your home’s hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. After the HVAC system, the hot water heater is the home appliance that uses the most energy. Dialing back the temperature will cut down on energy use.
New Albany Heating and Cooling is always happy to provide consumers with helpful hints for saving money and reducing energy waste. Our trained, licensed professionals are available to assist you with all your HVAC needs from quotes to repairs, to installing your new HVAC system and everything in between. Let us get your home winter-weather ready. Call New Albany Heating and Cooling at 614-636-5002 or visit us online at www.newalbanyheatingcooling.com.
