Since you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy usage and lower your utility bill, you may want to have some information on what can affect your home’s energy efficiency. On average, Americans spend around 2.7% of their annual income on paying energy bills.
One of the major drains on your home’s efficiency may be a lack of or poor insulation. Do you have a drafty attic or any other gaps or holes in your home? The best way to address this, and save energy, is to have a contractor provide proper insulation for these areas. This can potentially save 20% on your energy bills.
Another way to ensure that you can effectively control your heating and cooling costs is to have a thermostat. When you turn your heat down just 2 degrees, you may be able to reduce your heating bill by 2%. Since heating your indoor spaces usually makes up 45% of your energy bill, reducing your home’s temperature just slightly may make a difference over time.
Thermostats can also be turned down or off when people sleep, which can potentially save 5% on heating bills. It’s necessary, of course, to consider health issues as well as external temperatures. You and your family will be able to arrive at the best way to handle the thermostat so that everyone is comfortable.
You may also be interested in having a programmable thermostat. These are handy because you have the ability to adjust the temperature when you are home or away from home. When you’re home, you can set the thermostat at a warmer temperature and then reduce it before you leave. These programmable thermostats have been shown to reduce energy bills by 10%.
If you have a separate furnace, when was the last time you had it inspected? If it’s not functioning optimally, then you want to contact a heating and cooling company to address this situation. While it’s possible a simple repair will be sufficient, you may need a new furnace.
To ensure that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) continues to function well, it’s important to have regular maintenance. Part of this entails cleaning the unit and replacing the air filters.
Another way to save additional costs in the long run is to sign up for a preventative service contract. This way, your contractor will be able to determine if you need HVAC or furnace repair before it breaks down. The cost of a new furnace is definitely higher than a maintenance contract. When you have a heating and cooling specialist check your furnace, it may be an excellent time to inquire about a new high-efficiency model.
You may also be interested to know that even when they’re turned off, your home’s electronic devices continue to consume 75% of the electricity that powers them. In addition to minimizing the number of electronic devices you own, you can discuss other money and energy-saving tips with your heating and cooling specialist.
Another important measure that you can take is to make sure that you don’t have any leaky faucets in your house. This can waste a considerable amount of water on a daily basis. Furthermore, if you also have a leaking hot water heater, you’re wasting water as well as energy.
There are, of course, other ways to reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills. When you speak with a local HVAC contractor or plumber, they will be able to provide you with additional tips.
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