A big buzz topic these days has recently circulated around energy consumption–how much we’re consuming and how we can cut that number down. Three major things that consume energy in your home are air conditioning systems, water heaters, and furnaces. In hot climates or densely populated areas, air conditioning can be a necessity; similarly, in colder climates, good furnaces and water heaters are essential for comfort. However, you also want to be sure that these are working as efficiently as possible, in order to lower your energy consumption and potentially also lower your energy bill. In some cases, this may just require some repair and upkeep, while in other cases, looking to replace older models with newer and more efficient models is the way to go.
Air Conditioning
Over two thirds of homes in the United States have air conditioners installed and generally cost about $11 billion every year, in terms of upkeep, repair, and bills. Making sure your air conditioner is properly maintained is an excellent way to ensure the longevity of your air conditioning system. Additionally, if you switch to a high-efficiency model, your energy use in that department could drop by 20 to 50%, also reducing your utility bill.
Water Heaters
If you have an older water heater, it can be guzzling down about 30% worth of your home’s total energy consumption. Heating water in general takes up a significant chunk of a home’s energy bill–as much as 30%. With those kinds of numbers, you want to be sure you have the most reliable and efficient type of water heater for your home. One way to do this would be to purchase a tankless water heater. If you use less than 41 gallons of hot water a day, this type of water heater can be 24 to 34% more energy efficient than traditional water heating units.
Furnaces
Furnaces generally last anywhere from 15 to 18 years. However, it’s a good policy to have them inspected every year after they hit the 10 year mark, and you should be having them inspected semi-regularly before then as well, to keep from repairing a furnace often. New furnaces aren’t the clunky, energy-guzzling contraptions of the past. The law mandates that the lowest efficiency a gas furnace can have is 78% and in response, the industry has begun to change the way they manufacture furnaces. Some of the new models have an incredible 97% efficiency rate–almost perfect! This is another way to help cut down your energy consumption as well as your bills.
A key way to saving and budgeting is making sure that the big things in your life are as trimmed down as possible. This often includes the things we may not even think about–like how energy efficient our home is. The less efficient it is, the more money we have to supply. By making sure your big consumption items are as efficient as possible, you ensure lower bills and stress. Additionally, making sure everything is running smoothly and up to date lowers the need for constant repair or replacement and increases safety.
Do yourself a favor and look into your own air conditioners, water heaters, and furnaces, to see if there are changes you can make today.
