How to Save on Heating And Air-Conditioning Costs in Your Home.
We know you want to save money on your energy bill, but
doing so can be difficult, especially when you don't have all of the
information that you need. For this reason, here are some tips for reducing
energy costs from your heating and air-conditioning systems.
During the winter.
1.
Open the curtains. Keep windows open to the
light as much as possible. The more heat you let into your house from the Sun,
the less heat has to be produced by your furnace and therefore, the less energy
it uses.
2.
Turn the thermostat down when you leave the
house. Dial it down to about 60 degrees, then turn it back up to a comfortable
level when you come home. Don't turn it down more than this as doing so may
make the furniture in the house cold, causing you to use even more energy to
heat the furniture back up when you get home. However, turning it down to sixty
degrees when you leave can significantly save energy.
3.
Have a professional inspect your insulation. If
your insulation is faulty, it will allow heat to escape through the roof,
driving up your energy bill.
4.
Make sure your furnace has been tuned up and
cleaned. A dirty or otherwise malfunctioning furnace can increase your energy
usage and cost you money. It is especially important to change the filters in
your furnace every three months, as this is a common cause of a malfunctioning
heating system.
During the summer.
1.
Just as your furnace needs to be tuned up
periodically, so does your air-conditioner. A professional can check it to make
sure it's functioning correctly. The coils of an air-conditioner are especially
important for your home AC maintenance expert to take a look at. They often get
dirty and cause the air-conditioner to work much harder than it has to.
2.
Change your thermostat based on your activity.
Just as the thermostat needs to be turned down when you leave the house during
winter, it should be turned up when you leave the house during the summer. 70
degrees is a good setting to make sure that the furniture in the room doesn't
get too hot while still saving energy during the time that you are away.
3.
Cook at night or early in the morning. This can
be very inconvenient but can also save a lot of money if you are willing to do
it. Cooking during the day causes enormous heat to build up in the house and
makes your air-conditioner work harder. If it is possible to cook during times
when the house is already cool, this can save you quite a bit.
4.
Make sure your AC unit is the right size for the
space it is cooling. If your AC unit is larger than necessary, it can cause you
to waste energy.
5.
If you are installing a new AC, you might want
to think about getting one with a SEER-18 or SEER-23 rating. Air-conditioners
with these ratings have been proven to be especially energy-efficient.
6.
If you have any electronics operating that you
do not need, turn them off. Electronics often produce heat that you don't
notice but that cause your AC to work harder than it has to.
If you would like to have your home heating & air system
inspected and evaluated, please contact a professional.