10 Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs at Home

As energy rates continue rising, you may be on the lookout for ways to cut back your usage and save money. While larger investments like replacing the windows or installing high-performance HVAC systems certainly make your home more efficient, you can reduce energy costs right away with very little up-front investment. Here’s how.

1. Check the HVAC Air Filter

Check the filter monthly and change it when it appears dirty, or every three months, whichever occurs first. The cost of a new filter pays for itself by boosting efficiency, ensuring proper airflow, and keeping the HVAC equipment from overheating. Your home will quickly feel more comfortable and have cleaner indoor air with a fresh filter in place.

2. Change Your Thermostat for Energy Savings

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

3. Get a Programmable Thermostat

If you still have an old manual thermostat, look for a programmable model. This affordable replacement pays for itself quickly via energy savings by enabling you to program setback schedules while you’re at work or in bed. Automatic temperature recovery means you save money without ever feeling uncomfortable. Look for a smart Wi-Fi thermostat you can adjust remotely for even greater opportunities to save.

4. Prioritize Preventative HVAC Maintenance

Preventative maintenance provides a great return on investment. First of all, it pays you back by lowering your energy bills. After all, a tuned-up HVAC system runs more effectively than a neglected one. You also lower the risk of equipment failures and the necessary repair costs. Additionally, your heating and cooling is bound to run for a few years longer when you take good care of it today.

5. Uncover and Fix Air Leaks

Air leaks can develop wherever a couple of building materials come together. Find and seal these leaks to keep your home comfortable and reduce the strain on your HVAC system. Here are some tips: 

  • Remove and replace old weatherstripping to ensure windows and doors shut more tightly.
  • Re-caulk any cracks around windows and doors to seal out air leaks.
  • Apply expanding spray foam around wiring, plumbing, air ducts, and other penetrations in your home’s walls, ceilings and floors.
  • Shut the fireplace damper when a fire isn’t burning.

6. Use Solar Heat Gain to Your Benefit

In the summer, you should try to shut out solar heat gain. Putting reflective curtains over the windows in the afternoon is an easy way to handle this. If your budget allows, you could also plant trees on the south and west sides of your home. By selecting deciduous trees, you can enjoy a source of shade for the summer while still enabling the sun to heat your home for free in the winter. 

7. Use Water Wisely 

Conserve this key resource and reduce your water bills with some tips:

  • Take quick showers instead of long baths.
  • Put in low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets.
  • Turn off the water when shaving and brushing your teeth.
  • Fix drippy faucets, running toilets, and leaky pipes right away.

8. Keep Electronics Off

Plug computers, printers, TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles and other electronics into power strips. This way, you can turn them off with the flip of a switch when not in use. Additionally, unplug cell phone chargers and other adapters when you don’t need them to avoid small amounts of “phantom” energy consumption. 

9. Replace Your Light Bulbs

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

10. Run Appliances Efficiently

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

  • Shut windows and doors when running the furnace or air conditioner.
  • Turn down the water heater temperature to 120 degrees and install an insulating blanket.
  • Only run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.
  • Switch off the heated-dry functionality on your dishwasher.
  • Line-dry clothes when possible.
  • Heat up food in the microwave as opposed to the oven or stove, especially on summer afternoons.
  • If your local utility provider charges more for electricity during “peak times,” aim to use energy-heavy appliances during low-peak periods.

Get Help Cutting Home Energy Costs

Lots of cost-cutting measures relate directly to your home heating, cooling and plumbing systems. If you need help making use of these tips, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We supply affordable maintenance and repair service, as well as cost-effective installation and replacement services. Additionally, with financing options available, even larger 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 & Plumbing office today.