10 Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs at Home

As energy rates continue rising, you might be on the lookout for strategies to scale back your usage and save money. While big-ticket investments such as replacing the windows or installing high-efficiency HVAC systems certainly make your home more energy efficient, you can lower energy costs sooner with virtually no up-front investment. Here’s how you do that.

1. Change Your HVAC Air Filter

Check the filter once a month and change it when it looks dirty, or every three months, whichever occurs first. The cost of a new filter pays for itself by promoting efficiency, guaranteeing proper airflow, and keeping the HVAC equipment from overheating. Your home should feel more comfortable and have cleaner indoor air with a new filter in place.

2. Adjust Your Thermostat for Energy Savings

Keep the temperature at 70 degrees or cooler through the winter and raise it to 77 degrees or warmer for the summer. Then, choose clothes that suit the season to help you stay comfortable. 

3. Put in a Programmable Thermostat

If you’re still using an old manual thermostat, upgrade to a programmable model. This kind of thermostat pays for itself quickly thanks to energy savings by allowing you to program setback schedules while you’re away or in bed. Automatic temperature recovery means you conserve energy without ever dealing with an uncomfortable home. Look for a smart Wi-Fi thermostat you can adjust remotely for even greater opportunities to save.

4. Keep Up with Preventative HVAC Maintenance

Preventative maintenance provides a great return on investment. For starters, it pays you back by reducing your energy bills. After all, a well-maintained HVAC system runs better than a poorly maintained one. You also lower the risk of breakdowns and the associated repair costs. Additionally, your heating and cooling is able to run for a few years more when you take good care of it today.

5. Find and Resolve Air Leaks

Air leaks can develop wherever multiple building materials are connected. Locate and seal up these leaks to keep your home comfortable and minimize the strain on your HVAC system. Here are some tips: 

• Replace old weatherstripping to help windows and doors shut more tightly.
• Re-caulk stationary cracks around windows and doors to seal out air leaks.
• Add expanding spray foam close to wiring, plumbing, ventilation, and other penetrations in the walls, ceilings and floors.
• Close the fireplace damper whenever a fire isn’t being lit.

6. Use Solar Heat Gain to Your Benefit

During the summer, you should try to shut out solar heat gain. Shutting reflective curtains over the windows during the afternoon is a simple way to do this. If your budget permits, you can also plant trees on the south and west sides of your property. By selecting deciduous trees, you can enjoy plenty of shade over the summer while still enabling the sun to heat your home for free throughout the winter. 

7. Manage Your Water Use 

Conserve this key resource and save on your water bills with the following tips:

• Take shorter showers instead of long baths.

• Put in low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets.
• Turn off the water when you’re shaving and brushing your teeth.
• Deal with drippy faucets, running toilets, and leaky pipes as quickly as possible.

8. Turn Things Off

Plug computers, printers, TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles and other electronics into power strips. This way, you can shut them off with the flip of a switch when you are not using them. While you’re at it, unplug cell phone chargers and other adapters when not in use to minimize small amounts of “phantom” energy usage. 

9. Upgrade Your Light Bulbs

Do you still use old incandescent bulbs around the house? Replace them with LEDs to save as much as 70 percent on your lighting bills. Bulb replacement costs also decrease because LEDs live about 25 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

10. Use Appliances Efficiently

Appliances are the electricity hogs of the home. Conserve energy with any of these tips:

• Close windows and doors when starting the furnace or air conditioner.

• Turn down the water heater temperature to 120 degrees and install an insulating blanket.
• Only operate the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.
• Disable the heated-dry function on your dishwasher.
• Line-dry clothes when you’re able to.
• Reheat food in the microwave as opposed to the oven or stove, especially on summer afternoons.

• If your utility provider charges more for electricity during “peak times,” strive to use energy-heavy appliances during low-peak periods.

Get Help Cutting Home Energy Costs

Many cost-cutting measures relate to your home heating, cooling and plumbing systems. If you need help making use of these tips, reach out to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide affordable maintenance and repair service, as well as cost-effective installation and replacement services. Plus, with financing options available, even big upgrades will suit your budget. For more details about our services or to request an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning office today.