10 Ways to Cut Your Energy Costs at Home

As energy rates continue to rise, you might be on the lookout for strategies to cut back your usage and save money. Although big-ticket investments like replacing the windows or installing high-performance HVAC systems certainly make your home more energy efficient, you can reduce energy costs sooner with virtually no up-front investment. Here’s how.

1. Replace Your HVAC Air Filter

Check the filter each month and replace it when it appears dirty, or every three months, whichever occurs first. The cost of a new filter can pay for itself by encouraging efficiency, guaranteeing proper airflow, and stopping the HVAC equipment from getting too hot. Your home will also feel more comfortable and have healthier indoor air with a clean filter in place.

2. Set Your Thermostat for Energy Savings

Keep the temperature about 70 degrees or cooler during the winter and adjust 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 use an old manual thermostat, upgrade to a programmable model. This affordable replacement pays for itself quickly thanks to energy savings by allowing you to program setback periods while you’re away from home or sleeping. Automated temperature recovery means you lower costs without ever feeling uncomfortable. Look for a smart Wi-Fi thermostat you can set up remotely for even more opportunities to save.

4. Keep Up with Yearly HVAC Maintenance

Preventative maintenance provides a great return on investment. For starters, it pays you back by reducing your energy bills. After all, a well-maintained HVAC system runs more effectively than a neglected one. You also lessen the risk of equipment failures and the associated repair costs. In addition, your heating and cooling is bound to run for a few years longer when you care for it today.

5. Locate and Fix Air Leaks

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

  • Replace old weatherstripping to ensure windows and doors shut more tightly.
  • Re-caulk stationary cracks around windows and doors to prevent air leaks.
  • Add expanding spray foam near wiring, plumbing, ventilation, and other penetrations in your walls, ceilings and floors.
  • Shut the fireplace damper when a fire isn’t lit.

6. Use Solar Heat Gain to Your Advantage

In the summer, you should try to shut out solar heat gain. Putting reflective curtains over the windows through the afternoon is a simple 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 plenty of shade for the summer while still enabling the sun to heat your home for free in the winter. 

7. Manage Your Water Use 

Conserve this important resource and save on your water bills with some tips:

  • Take short showers as opposed to long baths.
  • Install low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets.
  • Turn off the water when you’re shaving and brushing your teeth.
  • Deal with drippy faucets, running toilets, and leaky pipes right away.

8. Unplug Electronics

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 you are not using them. While you’re at it, unplug cell phone chargers and other adapters when you don’t need them to minimize small amounts of “phantom” energy use. 

9. Replace Your Light Bulbs

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

10. Run Appliances Efficiently

Appliances are the electricity hogs of the home. Save money with the following tips:

  • Close windows and doors when starting the furnace or air conditioner.
  • Turn down the water heater temperature to 120 degrees and add an insulating blanket.
  • Only use the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.
  • Don’t use the heated-dry function on your dishwasher.
  • Line-dry clothes when the weather is warm.
  • Reheat food in the microwave rather than the oven or stove, especially on summer afternoons.
  • If your utility provider charges more for electricity through “peak times,” try to use your appliances during low-peak periods.

Get Help Lowering Home Energy Costs

A lot of cost-cutting measures relate directly to your home heating, cooling and plumbing systems. If you need help applying these tips, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We supply affordable maintenance and repair support, alongside cost-effective installation and replacement services. Additionally, with financing options available, even big-ticket upgrades will suit your budget. For more information about our services or to request an estimate, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.