Showing posts with label Energy Bills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Energy Bills. Show all posts

Saturday, April 6, 2024

5 Home Heating Tips to Save Money


While staying warm and cozy is essential during the colder months, it can also lead to higher energy bills. But fear not! There are several simple yet effective ways to keep your home warm without breaking the bank. 

This blog post will share 5 home heating tips that will help you save money while staying comfortable.

Use a Programmable Thermostat


Investing in a programmable thermostat can make a significant difference in your energy bills. By programming your thermostat to lower the temperature when you're away or asleep, you can save on heating costs without sacrificing comfort. 

Set your thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule, and watch your energy savings add up over time.

Seal Air Leaks


Air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings can cause heat loss and make your heating system work harder than necessary. Take some time to inspect your home for any gaps or cracks where warm air might be escaping. 

Use weather stripping or caulk to seal these areas and prevent heat loss. Not only will this help you save money on heating costs, but it will also make your home more comfortable overall.




Maximize Natural Sunlight


Take advantage of natural sunlight to help warm up your home during the day. Open up curtains or blinds on south-facing windows to let sunlight in and naturally heat up your living spaces. Just be sure to close them once the sun sets to retain as much heat as possible.

Maintain Your Heating System


Regular maintenance of your heating system is crucial for optimal performance and efficiency. Change air filters regularly, schedule annual inspections with a professional HVAC technician, and ensure that all vents are unobstructed for proper airflow. 

By taking care of your heating system, you can extend its lifespan and reduce energy consumption.

Layer Up


One of the simplest ways to save money on home heating costs is by layering up with warm clothing and blankets while indoors. Instead of cranking up the heat, opt for cozy sweaters, socks, and blankets to stay warm during chilly days and nights. 




Not only will this help you save on energy bills, but it's also a more sustainable way to stay comfortable in colder weather.

Final Thoughts


Saving money on home heating costs doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. By following these 5 simple tips – using a programmable thermostat, sealing air leaks, maximizing natural sunlight, maintaining your heating system, and layering up – you can stay warm and cozy while keeping more money in your pocket this winter season. 

Implement these strategies in your home today and enjoy a more comfortable living space without breaking the bank.


Friday, February 7, 2020

5 Reasons to Get Your HVAC System Checked This Spring

As soon as the weather starts to warm up, you should think about having your HVAC system inspected and serviced. A little bit of preventative maintenance could save you quite a bit of money and help you avoid time-consuming problems down the road.

Avoid Expensive Breakdowns


Even though most of the HVAC systems made in the past few years are durable, they must stand up to an incredible amount of use and abuse. During your 
HVAC System Maintenancethe technician can catch and fix smaller issues well before they lead to expensive breakdowns.

Lower Your Energy Bills


In the average home, climate control is one of the largest expenses. To keep your energy bills at a reasonable level, you must have the system regularly serviced by an experienced technician. That tech can ensure that your heating and cooling system remains as efficient as possible during the hottest and coldest months.

Reduce Your Risk of Mold


It is unfortunate that mold outbreaks can occur inside your HVAC system, and those spores will make their way into your home. Over time, the airborne contaminants will increase your risk of a wide variety of serious health issues. 



Luckily, treating a mold outbreak is relatively easy if you catch it before it spreads to the rest of your home.

Remove Invasive Pests


During the coldest months of the year, many pests are going to look for shelter, and various areas of the HVAC system will be perfect for their nests. 

While you can visually inspect the ducts and vents throughout the winter, you should think about having a technician thoroughly inspect the system before turning on the air conditioner for the first time.

Longer System Lifespan


Without proper maintenance, some HVAC systems will completely break down in a very short period, and replacing those units can be costly. The easiest and most effective way to extend the system's lifespan is to have it inspected and serviced by a certified technician at least once or twice a year. Regular HVAC services can extend the lifespan of your unit by years.

Spring maintenance is a great start, but your heating and cooling system should be serviced once the weather starts to cool off as well. Those biannual service calls will keep your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently for many years.



Thursday, November 2, 2017

The Green and Clean Home: How to Save Money on Your Monthly Energy Bills



If you’re like most consumers, you are diligent about saving money whenever you can, whether it’s by using mobile apps or coupons to get the best deals on products or services you buy or by following a strict household budget. 

While it’s virtually impossible to eliminate all monthly energy bills, here are a few tips to help you save some money on them.

Ask Energy Suppliers If They Offer a “Budget” Payment Plan


One of the fastest ways to put a “cap” on your monthly energy bills is by enrolling in your Energy Suppliers Budget Payment Plan. 


Instead of charging customers in full for their usage every month, the energy supplier averages your use and “budgets” payments across multiple months for a predictable price.

Turn down Your Thermometer


While you always want to make sure that you and your family are comfortable, dropping the temperature of your home by just a degree or two significantly impacts your monthly energy bill. 




If you wear a sweatshirt or cover up with a blanket, you’ll still be just as warm.

Winterize or Update Windows


Did you know that the average home can lose as much as 30% of treated (heated or cooled) air? As you can imagine, this is a devastating blow to your pocketbook and the efficiency of your home. 


If possible, consider upgrading your window system to prevent air leaks. If you’re unable to buy new windows, winterizing them is an affordable way to block leaks and prevent drafts.

Replace Old Light Bulbs


Over the years there have been significant improvements made in the lighting industry. Old incandescent light bulbs fell out in favor due to their inefficiency. 


Lighting solutions and bulbs from companies like LED Lighting Wholesale Inc. are energy efficient and flexible to meet the needs of consumers in the United States.

Smart Thermometer


Smart thermometers are a breakthrough that empowers people with remote technology so that they can control the climate (and many other aspects) of their home using an app or their Smartphone. 


If no one is home during the day, you can adjust the temperature accordingly, so you pay less when no one is home.

Take Advantage of Your Fireplace


Using your fireplace is a great way to save money on your energy bills each month. It might require a little extra work by purchasing for finding and splitting your own firewood, but it is worth it if you can heat your home without having to use your furnace. 


This helps you cut down on your gas and electric bills each month as you will be heating your home naturally.


Go Solar


Solar energy is on the rise. You may have even driven around your neighborhood and have noticed some of your neighbors have solar panels sitting on their roof. 


With harnessing the power of the sun can also go solar with your home and consequently save money each month. 

This way you are not having to pay out all of your money to you electric and gas companies. Instead, by going solar you can power your own home (for the most part) without those other companies.

The chances are good that your monthly energy bills account for a significant portion of your household spending. 


The more money you can save each month, the more your bank account will thank you. It also opens up other opportunities to spend your money elsewhere. 

By implementing some of the suggestions mentioned above, you’re doing what you can do to control your monthly energy usage and controlling your budget.


Saturday, December 17, 2016

4 Home Improvements to Help You Save Money on Your Energy Bills

According to the US Department of Energy, the energy usage of each person in the United States costs them over $3,000 each year.

One-third of that bill is energy usage in the home, meaning that the yearly home energy expenditure of a family of four is about $4,000. Since much of that expenditure comprises home heating and cooling costs, taking steps to lower those costs can help your family save big during the summer and winter.

However, other home appliances can run up your energy bills even further, especially if they are old or damaged.

What can you do to save on your energy bills? Read on to learn about four home improvements that can reduce both your home heating and air-conditioning bills and save you energy in additional ways.

1. Invest in those Energy Efficient New Home Windows


You likely have windows in virtually every room of your home, and if they are old and drafty, then replacing them can be one of the best ways to save on home energy.

How much energy will you save after replacing your home windows? That varies depending on what type of windows you currently have and how drafty they are.






If you have single-pane windows with metal frames, then upgrading two double- or triple-pane windows with frames that seal more tightly, such as vinyl frames, can help reduce your home energy bills.

While it is important to choose the right windows, it is also important to choose the right installation expert. Proper installation is important to fully reap the benefits of those new windows.

2. Replace or Repair your Home Heating and Cooling Ducts


The cool air your air conditioner creates in the summer and the warm air your heater creates in the winter travel through your home duct system to reach every room in your home.

If those ducts are old and you haven't had them inspected lately, then they could have holes and/or cracks that are causing your energy bills to rise.

The EPA reports that the average homeowner loses about one-fifth of their heated and cooled air due to air duct leakage. However, you could be losing even more. 
Pure air duct cleaning is the perfect way to ensure your ducts are not leaking and are working energy efficiently.

Having your duct system inspected and repaired is an easy way to save home energy.

3. Have a Heat Pump Installed


Heat pumps use much less energy to heat your home in the winter than traditional home heating systems. There are four types of heat pumps: geothermal, air-to-air, absorption, and water-source pumps.

While they all differ in how they heat your home, they all have one thing in common: they shift existing heat into your home instead of creating heat. This makes them very energy efficient.




Air-source heat pumps are the most popular heat pumps today, and some models can even cool your home in the summer. They can act as the sole source of heat in milder climates, but in areas of the country with very cold winters, they can supplement your existing home-heating system and lower your energy bills drastically.

4. Replace That Old Water Heater


Along with home heating and air conditioning, your home water heater can be a big waste of energy if it is old and lacks proper insulation.

The average family spends about $270 each year on energy used by their home water heater, but if yours is old and improperly insulated, you may be spending much more. Of course, if you have a large family who takes lots of hot showers, your energy needs also naturally increase.

According to High Point Plumbing, a company of plumbers in Utah County, having a professional replace your old, uninsulated water heater with a new, energy-efficient model is the best way to stop paying more money than you have to for your hot water. 

Also, having your hot water heater wrapped in heat-proof insulation can help reduce energy wasted by an old hot water tank.

If your home energy bills are higher than you would like them to be, then there are many steps you can take to reduce your home energy bills. These four home improvements can help you begin saving energy immediately. 

If you perform all four, you may be surprised at how much energy was just going to waste and how quickly the small investments in the home improvements pay for themselves many times over.

Friday, February 13, 2015

How to Save Money on Your Monthly Energy Bills

People are always looking for ways to save a little more money in today’s world Bills these days seem to be continually increasing, especially energy bills. Unless you’re in the middle of a big city, such as Chicago or New York, energy bills are going to be one of the more feared monthly bills. Luckily, with some ingenuity, you can help cut it in half each month.


Reusable Filters



Even though the low end AC and furnace filters are relatively inexpensive, the few dollars you spend each time you have to replace them add up over time. In addition, the action of replacing them often causes homeowners to delay, resulting in a less efficient system that tacks on money to your bill. Instead, purchase a reusable filter. At the end of 15 months, it will have paid for itself.


Upgrade Appliances




Most modern appliances are built to be energy efficient. While they may be expensive to begin with, many states offer rebate check incentives to upgrade to newer models. This on top of a lower electricity bill equates to less you have to pay out each month. When you’re out shopping, look for the Energy Star label.

Along with the Energy Star rating, you might also want to look for other energy efficient items. This would include items such as an energy efficient light bulb rather than your traditional incandescent bulbs. Most people now in days are going to the more energy efficient light bulbs as they are also supposed to last longer than your traditional incandescent bulb. This should in theory help you save on your monthly electric bills and how often you have to buy new light bulbs as well.


New Doors and Windows



The shape of doors and windows slowly morphs over time due to heat, moisture and all other environmental factors. Though they are perfectly designed to keep your indoor air from getting outside and vice versa, the shape deformities lead to cracks and openings that can’t be filled (Source: Northern Comfort). If you notice a breeze coming through around your doors and windows, it’s time to change them out.


Programmable Thermostat



It is estimated that programmable thermostats save you around 10% on your utility bill. By adjusting itself at different points in the day, the air and heat are never constantly running, only kicking in when you are in the house. Some models even learn your preferences and adjust automatically. There are also models that allow you to control the temperature in different rooms of your house and thus allowing you to heat the rooms you use the most and keep the rooms you use the least cooler or vice versa depending on if you are in summer or winter weather.


Cold Water



Instead of washing clothes and cleaning dishes in hot water, switch to cold. About 90% of the energy used by your washer goes to heating the water. This equates to burning 182 gallons of gas. By simply switching to a cold wash, the machine drops dramatically to only burning about 8 gallons. If you are worried about killing all the germs on your dishes, then don’t be. Using cold water will wash your dishes just as well as long as you use soap and wash your dishes well.

The bottom line is that your energy bill doesn’t need to cost a quarter of your monthly income. By making a few sacrifices in terms of using more cold water and investing in better appliances, your bill can be mitigated with relatively little impact to your lifestyle. With all of this energy you conserve, just imagine what a beneficial impact it will have on the environment.



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