What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Newark?
If you’re looking to save money, a great place to look 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 large investment of money or time. If you haven’t arranged for your furnace service for the year, that’s the perfect place to start. We also have some additional tips that can help keep your bills as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you contact your local utility provider, they will come do an energy audit of your home. These services are typically provided free-of-charge and account for everything that is showing up 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 things that can boost your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have been improved a lot, and the technology behind them only continues to expand. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to employ the GPS In your smartphone to detect when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and increase efficiency while you’re not home. When you return home, everything goes to the way it was and you don’t have to worry about a thing. It’s also able to learn your routine, so when baseball and football seasons kick off, your thermostat can make the right adjustment.
The Department of Energy says that a well programmed thermostat could
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 number of different models to choose from so pick the one that best fits your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes a lot, a 7-day model is likely your best solution. They give you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These normally have four possible temperature stages each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you have the same schedule on weekdays and another 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 necessitates. Check out 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 higher 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 ready yet, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t arranged your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or possibilities, give us a call at 740-200-5591.