The cold season brings lots of fun activities and events, but it can also do a number on your wallet. From holiday lights to maintaining a warm home during harsh weather, many Bloomfield families experience high energy expenses. Luckily, there are easy ways to decrease your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our professionals at Stanford Heating & Cooling in Bloomfield put together a list of ways you can save. Try them out and enjoy lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Set your thermostat to lower heating output when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is used when your furnace is set above 68 degrees, so try keeping your home at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake, and lower to 55-65 degrees at times when you’re away at work, out of town or sleeping to achieve lower utility bills.
2. Make sure you only wash when you have full loads.
Hold on doing laundry until you have enough for full loads. This will save you money on water heating, water usage and on heat needed for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than was really necessary, right? And, don’t forget: cleaning out the lint trap after every load can save you up to $34 a year, according to PG&E.
3. Conduct a home energy audit.
A home energy audit can help you determine the places where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use excess energy. The assessment can show you ways to save on energy expenses, including long- and short-term energy-saving solutions.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your HVAC ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are plenty of areas in your home that may be letting in unwanted cold air. Simply tape heavy plastic over the windows, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks on doors and windows. Contact Stanford Heating & Cooling to find out more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One of the easiest ways to achieve lower utility bills is to switch out your less efficient holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these energy efficient lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last nearly 40 holiday seasons in Bloomfield.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need a new furnace, think about purchasing an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save hundreds of dollars every year on annual heating bills versus older furnaces. Or, if it’s not quite time for a replacement, remember to schedule a maintenance visit for your current equipment. A quick tune-up can help you achieve lower utility bills by making it easier for the system to work.
For more information on how you can achieve lower utility bills this winter, give Stanford Heating & Cooling in Bloomfield a call at 812-825-8695.