Most homeowners nowadays are striving to find ways and means to keep their energy bills low. Keeping your home cool during the summer and warm during another Franklin County winter costs a small fortune. Fortunately for you, however, all that’s required to lower your bills is to be vigilant and mindful.
We at Grove City Heating & Air composed the following list of simple tips to help you lower your gas and electric bills:
Top 10 Tips to Keep Your Energy Bill Low
1. Add Insulation
During winter, the harsh cold of the freezing temperatures outside can endanger the warmth within your residence. One of the most prevalent reasons for this comes from poor insulation. Insulation guards your home by helping it preserve its heat. It keeps the warm air inside during the winter and the cool air inside during the summer. Because of this, it is necessary to check the insulation in your home. You’ll want to check everything from your walls and pipes to your attic and crawl spaces. Good insulation will minimize the need for energy and, thus, your utility bills.
2. Dress According to the Weather
This is plausibly the most affordable and most efficient way to stay cozy indoors all year round. Whatever the temperature, dress heavy or light according to the season. Instead of changing the thermostat, wear shorts and t-shirts during the summer. During the winter, throw on a sweater or some sweat pants. This can help you feel comfy without needlessly running up your bills.
3. Lower Your Water Heater’s Temperature
One of the notable costs hitting your energy bills is the cost of keeping your water warm. Part of this comes from the heater keeping a reserve of warm water in its tank. Reducing the temperature by a few degrees can skim off some money from your utility bill. The suggested temperature for heaters should not be more than 120 degrees. If you and your family ever leave home for vacation or a trip, you can also turn the heat off until you come back home.
4. Replace Your Air Filter
As we’ve explained before, it is necessary for a slew of reasons to change your home’s air filter periodically. Keep this in mind as you go about maintaining your home. The idea 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. This not only helps to maintain the HVAC in excellent working order, but it also keeps it from having to consume unnecessary energy. When your filter is old, it forces your blower to work harder than it should by essentially suffocating your system and leading to higher energy costs.
5. Get a Programmable Thermostat
Did you know you can reduce the amount of energy you consume and lower your electric bill by combating the need to turn up the heat or turn down the thermostat? If this is challenging for you or your family, you should contemplate having a programmable thermostat installed. With one in place, you can enter the temperature by the time of day and leave it alone. The thermostat will make the modifications on its own, and this will make your home more energy-efficient, which will lower your energy costs. 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.
6. Wash Your Clothing in Cold Water
The entire process of washing clothing uses up a significant volume 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 garments. Providing warm water to your washer makes the water heater work hard and expend a substantial 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 weatherstripping and caulking and to replace broken seals. Doing so will not only save you money but it will improve the overall comfort in your home.
8. Check Your Appliances
Appliances that aren’t properly functioning are a strain on energy bills. Be sure to check all of them regularly to make sure they’re not only working correctly but also they are clean. You should do this on a regular schedule. For bigger appliances, an annual check-up is sufficient. If you prefer to replace your devices, be sure to check the energy efficiency of the replacement.
9. Look into Prepaid Electric Bill Plans
One option not often considered is the feasibility of changing from a long-term contract to a prepaid plan with your electric company. With a prepaid plan, it gives you the ability to pay only for the electricity you use. This 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 primary benefits include improved efficiency, which results in optimal heating performance. This is in addition to reducing the risk of system failure, a far more costly disaster no one wants to face in the winter. Not only that, it ensures appropriate airflow, reduces the need for repairs, keeps you and your family safe during the cold months of winter. It can also save time, and it maintains your manufacturer’s warranty. The list goes on.
To schedule a tune-up today, call Grove City Heating & Air at 614-490-7540 or schedule an appointment online now at www.grovecityheatingandair.com/schedule-now/.
