One of the most helpful resolutions to take up this year is to save more money. One easy way that you can work towards this goal is to ensure that you aren’t wasting unnecessary funds on your energy bill. Lowering your energy bill is not only a win for you but is also a win for the planet. By conserving your heating and air conditioning funds, you can put some money back into your pocket while also working towards a more sustainable home. There are many different ways to keep your energy bill low in the coming months, so read on to learn some helpful tips that can save you money this year.
How to Save Money on Your Energy Bill This Year
Check Seals on Doors and Windows
The most common places in the home that air leaks occur are between your door and window frames. If your home has an air leak in one of these places or somewhere else, you could be losing large amounts of heated or cooled air. If your home is leaking precious air that your HVAC system has worked to heat or cool, it is working overtime to keep you comfortable, depending on the season. If your HVAC is working harder than it needs to, it could result in an increased energy bill. To ensure that you aren’t wasting any money and are keeping yourself comfortable, make sure that any air leaks in your home are sealed up immediately.
Get Leaky Ductwork Fixed
If your ductwork has a leak, you may be paying extra in heating or cooling bills this year. Air leaks in ductwork mean that your heated or cooled air may be lost before making it to the rooms of your home, causing you to be uncomfortable and set your thermostat higher or lower to compensate for the issue. Be sure to have any leaks in your ductwork sealed to keep your heating and cooling system working efficiently.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
While it may not be the first thing to come to mind, investing in a smart thermostat can save you money on your heating or cooling bills this year and beyond. With a smart thermostat, you can program it to save you money on your energy bill while you’re away from home. During the winter months, you can set your thermostat several degrees cooler while you’re away so that you don’t end up heating a home that no one is in.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can also be a helpful tool in managing your energy bill this year. Ceiling fans help move heated or cooled air around your rooms. During the summer months, your fan should rotate counterclockwise to create a downdraft, or to push cold air down from the ceiling. When the winter months come around, you can reverse the direction of the fan’s rotation so that it will create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room. This will allow for you to feel warmer or cooler, depending on the direction of rotation, and keep you from heading to the thermostat more often.
Use Window Shades
In the summer, don’t overlook your window shades as an option for helping to keep your home cool. By blocking out any sunlight, you can keep your HVAC from having to cool a home that is continuing to absorb heat through its windows.
Clean Windows in Winter
On the other hand, sunlight can actually be a useful tool to heat your home in the winter. Heat from the sunlight can be absorbed through your windows and contribute to your efforts to warm your home. To make sure that your home is absorbing as much heat as possible from your windows, make sure that they are clean and unobstructed in the wintertime.
Keep Doors and Windows Closed
This tip may seem obvious; however, many people forget to shut their doors and windows during the summertime. Because it is so pleasant outside, you may want to leave these open, but if you’re trying to save money on your energy bill, you should refrain. If your HVAC system is running while your doors or windows are open, you are losing cool air, which your air conditioning system will have to work to replace to keep you comfortable.
Replace HVAC and Furnace Filters
If your heating and air conditioning system is having to work with dirty or clogged air filters, then you are putting unnecessary strain on it, causing your energy bill to skyrocket. When your air filters are dirty or clogged, the rest of your HVAC system is not able to pull in as much air as it normally does. This means that, although your system will still work to heat or cool your home to the desired temperature, it will have to work much longer to do it, causing unnecessary strain on the system and a higher energy bill. Make sure to replace your filters regularly to avoid this.
Insulate Your Home Effectively
Chances are, there are at least a few places in your home that could use some extra insulation. If you are planning a renovation at some point, be sure to inspect the existing insulation and add more if it’s not sufficient.
Get Your HVAC System Serviced
Making sure that your system is in good shape is an important step in saving money on your energy bill. Routine maintenance issues can cause your system additional strain or to go into complete failure. If your heating and air conditioning system fails, you might end up with a much bigger bill and headache to deal with. Allowing a professional to inspect and service your HVAC system semi-annually can give you both peace of mind and a more efficient system.
City Heating and Air Conditioning in Knoxville, TN
Making sure that your HVAC system is working to the best of its ability is the most important and safe way to save money on your energy bill this year and beyond. At City Heating and Air Conditioning, we want to help you save money this year while also contributing to a more sustainable home. Our experienced technicians can provide you with the quality service that you need to ensure your home is a comfortable place to be. From routine maintenance to installations, we’ve got you covered.
To learn more about our services or to get a quote, contact us at 865-9381020 or info@wordpress-587374-4313908.cloudwaysapps.com.