Utility bills for heating and cooling purposes make up a large portion of the typical family budget. Here are six year-round pointers that can help you save money by controlling home energy costs.
Seal and insulate your ducts. Your home may be losing energy thorough gaps in your home’s ductwork. To help your HVAC system run more efficiently, seal and insulate ducts, particularly in unconditioned parts of your home.
Upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Adjust your settings using a programmable thermostat so your house is less conditioned while you’re away from home to save energy and control energy costs.
Change your air filter regularly. Check your air filter every month and change it as soon as dirt begins to build up. As the filter gets dirty, your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump has to work harder to keep your home comfortable. This is an easy and inexpensive maintenance task that can help control energy costs.
Get an annual HVAC tuneup. Yearly preventive maintenance can ensure your system is clean and running properly. A tuned-up system runs more efficiently, using less energy to heat and cool your home.
Install Energy Star-qualified equipment. If you’ve sealed and insulated your ducts but your heating or cooling system isn’t very efficient, consider upgrading to an Energy Star-qualified air conditioner, furnace or heat pump.
Get your new equipment properly installed. You’ll get the most efficiency and more effectively control energy costs with a new unit if it’s installed by an experienced technician.
For more information about improving the energy efficiency of your home and for professional help identifying how to better control energy costs, contact EG Appliance Repair.