Top 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bills
Saving money is always a good thing, right? What if we told you that you could shave off a significant percentage of your energy costs just by making a few small changes? It’s true – doing the following 5 things will help you save money on your energy bills.
1 – Adjust Your Thermostat
Adjusting your home’s temperature by a few degrees (lower in winter; higher in summer) when you’re gone or while you’re sleeping can save you money. For example, lowering the temperature by 10-15 degrees at night during the winter can reduce your heating costs by up to 10%! And raising the temperature when you’re gone in the summer can be equally effective at lowering your energy costs. You can do this manually each day, but installing a programmable thermostat is an even better long-term solution, as it will automatically make these changes for you.
2 – Seal Up Windows, Doors, and Appliances
Caulk around doors and windows and use weather stripping on door jambs to keep warm air in, cold air out in the winter – and vice versa in the summer. Weatherizing your home like this is an inexpensive fix that will help keep heating and cooling costs down. Similarly, check that the seals on your refrigerator and freezer are in good shape, and repair or replace as needed. Good seals keep appliances running efficiently, lowering your electricity costs. Lastly, if you have a fireplace, make sure to close the damper when it’s not in use to keep conditioned air from escaping.
3 – Use the Sun to Your Benefit
In the winter, open curtains on your south- and west-facing windows during the day to allow the sun to warm your home. Then be sure to close the curtains at night to help keep heat from escaping. In summer, do the reverse – make sure to close curtains during the day to keep the heat of the sun out. Utilizing nature’s energy in this way will allow your furnace or AC unit to run less often, saving you money.
4 – Change Your Furnace and AC Filters Regularly
In most cases your heating and cooling systems are responsible for about half of your energy bill each year, so keeping them well-maintained is crucial to their efficiency (and results in reduced energy costs for you!). According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing air filters regularly can lower your energy usage by up to 15%! This translates to savings on your energy bill by up to 7.5%. Ideally, you will change your filters at least every three months, but it’s a good idea to get in the habit of checking their condition on a monthly basis. Keep extra filters on hand so you can replace them as needed.
5 – Inspect, Repair, and Clean Ductwork
Leaks in your duct system can result in loss of conditioned air, meaning higher energy bills for you. Have your ductwork, vents, registers, and connectors inspected regularly by a trained HVAC professional. They will look for leaks and blockages, make sure connectors are tight, and recommend repairs or cleaning as needed. Air duct cleaning is one of the many services we provide here at Titan, and we recommend having your ducts cleaned at least every 2-3 years to keep your system running well.
