6 Tips for Saving on Heating and Cooling Costs < Return
Heating and cooling costs can be excessive and draining to one’s budget; for example, residents of warm cities around the Tampa Bay Area can quickly find themselves with escalating bills that are unacceptably high. In fact, the US Department of Energy claims that heating and cooling systems account for almost 60 percent of energy used in one’s home no matter where you live.Fortunately, there are certain strategies you can take to overcome these financial burdens.
1. Replace old windows. Old windows can be a financial drain for one’s home, as air or heat can leak through them, thereby increasing your energy bills. Whether you replace them with dual pane windows that are more energy efficient or even utilize self-stick foam or window insulator kits, your home will start leaking less energy.
2. Insulation. Insulation can help reduce the loss of warm air. Other benefits to insulation are that insulating your hot water heaters and pipes will cut carbon dioxide emissions and save on water heating costs. By insulating your hot water pipes, there will be less heat loss, which again translates to savings.
3. Installations. There are a number of items you should install that will result in savings. Reflective film on windows will reduce upholstery fading and cut down on your air conditioning costs. Shades and drapes will reduce cooling costs when it’s hot; winter drapes will reduce your heating bills due to their preserving warm air. Programmable thermostats help reduce cooling and heating costs by automatically altering your home’s temperature, thereby ensuring both energy efficiency and more comfort. Finally, ceiling fans will cut back your cooling costs when it’s hot, and in cooler weather the fans will circulate warm air.
4. Sealing. Equally important to these installations is sealing certain parts of your home. You should seal areas in your homes where energy can leak with foam strips or caulk. It’s simple enough to seal your heating and cooling ducts with some kind of sealant or wrap.
5. Programmable Thermostats. Experts estimate that programmable thermostats can save up to 10% on your energy bill if used correctly.
6. Check and change your filter. A smart homeowner will change filters every three months. Dirty filters cut down on air flow whereas clean filters prevent dirt from growing in your system. In particular, you should check your filters after extended periods of hot or cool days.
While there are other means to saving on your heating and cooling costs, these 6 tips are a good place to start. Ask us about ways that you can save money and energy through smart heating and cooling strategies, and cut your yearly energy bills.
