Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) can cause your energy bill to soar sky-high if not handled properly. Everybody wants a lower monthly bill, but not everyone knows how to be energy efficient when they’re at home. We would like to see this change. One of the first things you can do is find a good program for bill tracking so you can see exactly where your money is going each month. Here are why are some other great tips to make your home more energy-efficient, saving you tons of money every month.
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Plug The Leaks
One problem you could encounter with HVACs that could lead to expensive energy bills is the presence of cracks and holes. So, do everything you can to plug these leaks because you will definitely have to pay a lot if your house is leaking air. If you don’t know how to find these leaks, seek the help of a professional for extensive heating and air conditioning repair.
Clean Filters And Do Maintenance
Despite being the simplest problem to fix, a clogged air-conditioner filter is one of the reasons of having high energy consumption. Keeping your air filter clean will help improve and control your unit’s lifespan and performance.
You should change your air filters at least once every three months. Observe your energy bill and see a drastic change in your savings every month! In addition to regularly changing your filters, you should ask an expert to perform a maintenance check at least once per year.
Hiring an expert to check your HVACs may seem like the opposite of saving money since you’re going to pay for routine maintenance, but you might be shocked by how those little problems raise your energy bill. Furthermore, having an expert check your unit will also help you find and even prevent expensive issues down the road as well. Think of this as an investment that is guaranteed to give you a positive return.
Mind Your Thermostat
The perfect room temperature is 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. For every degree raised on your thermostat during the summer season, it saves 4 to 6 percent on your energy bill. Installing a programmable thermostat will help you manage your unit’s performance as well as control your energy usage. You can automatically set your thermostat’s temperature settings, especially when you are out at work during the day or sleeping through the night. A study conducted by the Department of Energy states that setting your thermostat lower for a few hours a day can help you save up to 6% on your energy expenses. If you use your thermostat properly, you can save up to $250 per year.
Another tip regarding thermostat usage is that you need to strategically place it in an area where it can’t be hit by direct sunlight. If your thermostat is being hit by direct sunlight or near heat pumps, your air conditioning will continuously cool your house and will only stop when it senses that the temperature has gone down. With all this hard work, your air conditioning unit will have to use a lot of energy, and you will have to pay more for it.
Invest In Good Units
Purchasing energy-efficient units such as your air conditioner, furnace, and essential kitchen appliances will definitely cost you a lot upfront. However, the cash you will save on your energy bill will be higher due to increased efficiency. In addition, you will also have the peace of mind of having brand new and warrantied systems, so you will never worry about expensive repairs. If you don’t have the funds to purchase a new unit, at least have your old system cleaned and checked frequently.
Cover Up
Coping with heat waves during the summer season all taught us a thing or two about how hard it is to keep our homes at a comfortable temperature. You could max out your air conditioning and turn on all your fans, or you could simply close your window coverings. This sounds simple but keeping your blinds lowered can lessen your home’s heat gains. Keeping out the sun during the summer is a no-brainer. However, you should not forget about your drapes during the winter season. Closing them helps your home hold up to 10 percent more heat.
Use LED Lights
Did you know that almost 85 percent of the energy used by incandescent bulbs is given off as heat? In contrast, an LED bulb uses 75 percent less energy, and it lasts 25 times longer. That is a lot less time climbing up ladders to replace your burnt out bulb! If you replace 20 incandescent bulbs inside your house with LED bulbs, you can save up to $75 per year.
However, be informed that LED light is much cooler compared to incandescent light. The light emitted by an LED bulb is more likely to be blue than yellow. If you don’t like this kind of light, look for LED bulbs that are marked as “warm” on the packaging.
The cost of living is getting more and more expensive. Follow these simple tips to help lessen your energy bill so you can use it for other important things.
