What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in New Castle?
If you’re trying 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 usually makes up about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t need a big investment of money or time. If you haven’t set up your furnace service for the year, that’s an ideal place to start. We also have some additional tips that can help keep your costs as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you get a hold of your local utility provider, they will come complete an energy audit of your home. These services are usually provided free-of-charge and assess everything that is popping up on your energy 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 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 detect when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and boost efficiency while you’re away. When you return home, everything goes to the way it was and you don’t have to worry about making any changes. It’s also able to adjust to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons roll around, your thermostat can make the correct adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat could
reduce 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 more than likely your best solution. They provide 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 best if you have 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 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 better 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 at that point, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system operating 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 724-401-1843.