What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Huntsville?
If you’re looking 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 normally makes up about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t need a huge investment of money or time. If you haven’t set up your furnace service for the year, that’s the perfect place to start. We also have a few additional tips that can help keep your expenses as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you reach out to 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 showing up on your utility bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Most utility companies also offer rebates for insulation and other things that can improve 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 utilize the GPS In your smartphone to determine when you’re leaving and makes the proper change to help you save money and boost efficiency while you’re not home. When you return home, everything returns to normal and you don’t have to worry about a thing. It’s also able to learn your routine, so when baseball and football seasons roll around, your thermostat can make the proper adjustment.
The Department of Energy says that a well programmed thermostat may
lower 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 choose from so pick the one that best adapts to your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes quite a bit, a 7-day model is likely your best bet. They give you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These typically have four possible temperature periods every day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are best if you maintain the same schedule on weekdays and another for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re nearing the point where your system ought to be replaced, it’s a good idea to take a look at all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time necessitates. 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 professionals will help you make a well-informed decision that meets you and your needs.
If you’re not at that point, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system working 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 choices, give us a call at 256-801-4701.