Five Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills

Image via Flickr by aqua.mech

As temperatures rise, so do the costs associated with your utility bills. There are many simple ways to cut back on your power usage and improving the efficiency of your HVAC system may be one of the most cost-effective ways to lower your utility bills. Let’s look at the following five ways to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Change Your Air Filters

Clean filters allow adequate airflow so the system can operate with the least amount of resistance, saving power and money. It is recommended that you change out filters at least once a month unless you are directed otherwise by the filter manufacturer.

Set Up a Regular Maintenance Schedule

Having your HVAC System maintained twice a year by a qualified and branded HVAC service company can help keep your system running at peak performance. During these service visits, a trained professional will verify that the most efficient settings are in use and will check all related components and parts to ensure that they are functioning correctly. Most Commercial HVAC systems require more frequent maintenance visits than residential models, so it is important to ask your provider for specific advice and guidance. Even if you have skipped your scheduled maintenance for a year, it is not too late to set up regular visits.

Keep Your Home Draft Free

Making sure that all of your doors and windows are closed can reduce your HVAC system’s workload and decrease the energy needed to cool your home. You may need to replace old and worn weather stripping around your windows and doors to completely protect from a loss of cold air during the summer and warm air during the winter. You could also consider replacing or adding insulation, especially if you have an older house.

Set Your Thermostat and Forget It

Continually changing the temperature settings on your thermostat can overwork your HVAC system, causing an increase in the power it pulls to run. Leaving the thermostat set at one temperature decreases the strain on the system and the electricity it uses. Finding your sweet spot for the season can add up to significant savings on your utility bills. Installing a programmable thermostat can significantly help with this as it lets your HVAC system rest from having to maintain a colder or warmer temperature when no one is at home.

Install Drapes, Curtains, or Blinds.

Using drapes, curtains, or blinds on windows in your home that blocks the most sunlight can help control the temperatures inside your home. The sun can dramatically increase the ambient temperature inside your house when allowed to shine through windows freely. Buying blackout curtains, that may block up to 99% of sunlight, can keep your home’s temperature cooler and reduce how much power your HVAC system uses. This is the direct opposite during the winter, and you can use sunlight to help keep your house warmer during the day and decrease how hard your system has to work to maintain the warmth in your home.

All of these ways of reducing your home’s footprint and the amount you have to pay on utility bills are simple enough for anyone to perform. Take the time to evaluate your home for ways to improve your HVAC system’s efficiency and you’ll find it simple to implement them. Any costs incurred during this process will soon be paid for by the savings you will see in your energy bill.

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RAKI WRIGHT

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Five Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills