What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Mechanicsburg?
If you’re trying to save money, a great place to begin is right inside your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home typically accounts for about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t necessitate a huge investment of money or time. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year, that’s a great place to start. We also have a couple additional tips that can help keep your costs as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you get a hold of your local utility provider, they will come do an energy audit of your home. These services are usually provided free-of-charge and assess everything that is present on your utility bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Many utility companies also offer rebates for insulation and other items that can boost your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have evolved quite a bit, and the technology behind them only continues to evolve. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to use the GPS In your smartphone to figure out when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and boost efficiency while you’re away. When you return home, everything goes back to normal and you don’t have to worry about anything. It’s also able to adjust to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons start again, your thermostat can make the right adjustment.
The Department of Energy states that a well programmed thermostat may
reduce your heating costs by up to 35% and your cooling costs by up to 25%. Set your thermostat as low as you can, while still staying comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a few different models to decide from so pick the one that best adapts to your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, a 7-day model is more than likely your best choice. They provide you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These typically have four possible temperature phases each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you maintain the same schedule on weekdays and a separate one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re close to the point where your system should be replaced, it’s a good idea to research all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time arrives. View the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of air conditioners and the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of the furnaces. The higher the ratings, the greater the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C pros will help you make a well-informed decision that suits you and your needs.
If you’re not there yet, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or options, give us a call at 717-220-4502.