5 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bill
Who isn’t looking for easy ways to save money – in the short-term and long-term – when it comes to their energy bill? Whether it is your home or place of business, here are 5 of the top ways to save money on your energy bill this spring and summer.
1. Keep heat out to lower your AC bills.
Window coverings can have a big effect on your home’s heating or cooling load. Be sure to use your windows and blinds when possible – that way, you keep out the sun’s rays from your home, which can put more demand on cooling your home.
2. Don’t touch that thermostat!
Be sure not to constantly be changing your thermostat. This can be easier said that done, but the costs can add up. That’s because, in many cases, you are asking your system to do more work than may be necessary if you “set it and leave it.”
Have you installed a programmable thermostat? It can go a long way to help reduce energy use when you’re not home. The less your HVAC system has to work to maintain comfortable temperature levels that aren’t necessary because no one is home, the more savings you will end up seeing over time.
3. Examine how your home is insulated.
In the Greater Cincinnati area, the US Department of Energy recommends an R-value of R49 for insulation in your attic, which is a measure of how well an attic can react to heat. As a general rule of thumb, if you have six inches or less of insulation in the attic, it would be smart to add more insulation. You can always add it on top of the existing insulation to save money. And, there are federal tax credits for adding insulation. (See sources for more: 1, 2, 3, 4).
4. Don’t forget heating and A/C maintenance.
It’s something the GC Home Services team is well aware of: your energy costs are a major part of your ongoing costs to have a home! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home uses more energy than any other system, typically making up more than half of your electric bill. As we always say, be sure to regularly change your air filters and also schedule your spring and fall tune-ups with us.
5. Replace equipment…when necessary.
For those with equipment that is older than ten years, it may be time to replace your HVAC system (1). Also, when it’s ideal for your home, be sure to purchase ENERGY STAR products that are more energy efficient.
Call GC Home Services Today
Call the experts at GC Home Services to learn more about how you can increase comfort in your home – while increasing efficiency, too. We’ve installed, maintained and repaired more than 25,000 HVAC systems in our 28-year history. Give the experts at GC Home Services a call today at 859-491-4915 today.
Sources/References That Were Used Directly in This Post
