It’s the time of year when you want to come in out of the cold, but sometimes when you get your energy bill you’ll wish you hadn’t turned the heat up so high. The same is true in the summer when it’s time to pony up after weeks of constant air conditioner use.
Lowering your energy bill is something we often think about when it’s too late. Very often, following a plan to be more energy efficient is the difference between a whopper of an energy bill and having a comfortable home at a reasonable price. That’s why Tragar Home Services wants to share some money saving tips so you can get the most out of your heating and cooling systems.
Contact Tragar for Winter and Summer Tune-Ups
One big way you can save money and make sure your home is energy efficient is to schedule a home heating tune-up in the fall or winter, and an air-conditioning start-up in the spring or summer. Taking this simple step will ensure that both of these systems are up to date with maintenance and repairs, running safely and are operating at optimal efficiency.
Seal and Insulate Your Home
Another important step is to seal air leaks and improve your home’s insulation. According to a brochure released by the US Department of Energy, this is the fastest and most cost-effective way to reduce energy waste. This means you should test your home to see if it’s airtight You should also caulk and weather strip doors and windows that leak air as well as plumbing and wiring. Also, make sure that your insulation is in good shape and is right for the climate in your area.
Energy Efficiency Tips for Your Heating and Cooling Systems
While operating your heating and cooling system, you should install a programmable thermostat and keep it as low as you’re comfortable with in the winter and as high as you’re comfortable with in the summer, according to the energy department. Clean and replace filters on your furnace and on your air conditioner once a month. You should also regularly clean radiators and baseboard heaters while making sure they’re not being blocked by furniture, carpeting, and drapery. During the winter, you should also keep draperies open on the side of your home that faces south, to allow sunlight in, while keeping them closed at night to reduce the chill.
When shopping for heating and cooling equipment, you should look for energy-efficient products. For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78 percent AFUE, but there are Energy Star products that exceed 90 percent AFUE. For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners. You should also look for an energy efficient water heater with an Energy Star label.
Tragar Has More Cost Saving Ideas for You
We’re just scratching the surface here. Tragar Home Services can give you plenty of other ideas and we can take a look at your situation with a home energy audit. We’ll assess how much energy your home consumes and give you ideas about ways to make your home more energy efficient. To get started, contact us today.
