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Scared of High Electric and Gas Bills? Here are Some Helpful Tips
Society today is more environmentally conscious than ever before. Gone are the days of careless wastefulness and squandering our natural resources. Today there are groups and organizations dedicated to protecting the planet and conserving these resources. Not only is this beneficial for future generations, but it also means that with some tips and planning everyone can do their part for the environment and save money in the process – and saving money is beneficial for everyone!
At Centerville Heating & Cooling we take pride in doing our part to preserve our planet’s natural resources by providing the most comprehensive HVAC services to our customers. We are also happy to share information on reducing your energy and gas bills, so there is no need to be afraid to see your utility bills each month.
Here are some of the most effective ways to save yourself some money while also helping to save the planet:
– Stop drafts and loss of heat by covering windows and any unused outside doors with sturdy transparent plastic sheeting. Weatherproofing kits can be purchased from your local hardware or department store.
– Equip your home with a thermostat that can be programmed to automatically adjust the temperature. Rather than trying to constantly remember to reset your thermostat yourself, this convenient device does it for you, day or night. This can reduce your energy costs by a cool $100 per year with practically no effort from you.
– The United States government has worked in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compile a list of guidelines and criteria for increasing energy efficiency in homes and businesses. These environmentally friendly guidelines are based on the use of Energy Star designated products and appliances. These include central air conditioning units, furnaces, hot water heaters, and more. Look for Energy Star-approved equipment when purchasing
HVAC parts and products and consider upgrading existing systems with these components.
– Schedule an inspection of your HVAC system annually in order to make sure that it is in good condition and not in need of repairs or preventive maintenance. It is a good idea to have your system cleaned by a licensed professional once a year as well. This will keep it operating at its best, meaning it will be cost-effective throughout the entire season.
– One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your HVAC system working at peak performance level is to replace filters on a regular basis. Experts recommend changing filters monthly during in-use seasons. This will ensure proper airflow and prevent possible damage to the system.
Along with HVAC care and maintenance, there are a number of other ways to conserve energy and reduce waste in your home or office. These include:
– Check your home inside and out for cracks and fissures where drafts can enter and where heat can be lost. Pay special attention to areas between bricks, around foundations, along the edges of outlets or pipes, along baseboards, and behind furniture. Seal these openings with caulk or spray foam insulation.
– Set your hot water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Most hot water heaters don’t have a temperature gauge that provides a digital readout. If yours does not, then you will need to determine the water temperature manually. You will need a cup and a thermometer used for cooking. Choose a heating range setting on your water heater’s temperature gauge and allow the water to remain unused at that setting for one hour. Turn on the faucet in your home that is located closest to the water heater. Allow the water to run for one full minute to reach its maximum temperature, then fill the cup with hot water and place the thermometer in the cup. Following the temperature reading on the thermometer, adjust the water heater’s temperature gauge accordingly. You may need to repeat this process a few ties until you find the desired setting, but your efforts will pay off – literally – when your energy bills decrease.
– Automatically turn off the lights in your home with timers and motion sensors. This way, when lights are not in use they will be shut off whether you are home or not, saving energy and money. Use a power strip to plug in televisions, video game systems, stereos, etc., so that they can be turned off easily with the flip of a switch when not in use. Also, contrary to popular belief, leaving your desktop computer and monitor switched on all the time does not save energy. In fact, just the opposite is true. Shut them off when they are not going to be used for an extended period of time.
Centerville Heating & Cooling is ready to provide you with top-of-the-line service from our team of fully trained HVAC specialists. For everything from quotes for services or new parts to same-day service on your already-installed system, we are only a phone call away.
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