The last time you paid your utility bill, were you pleased with what you were being charged? Chances are you weren’t too thrilled. Whether its the hottest part of the year or the dead of winter, your utility bills could be cheaper.
We understand that every little bit counts when it comes to money. Here are some simple ideas to help you save energy at home no matter what time of year it is.
Install an Energy Efficient Thermostat
According to the Alliance to Save Energy, installing a programmable thermostat can help save up to 10% on cooling and heating costs. When utility bills get into the hundreds, a 10% difference can be quite a bit of money that stays in your pocket and out of the utility company’s pocket.
With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature higher or lower while you are away and you can alter nighttime temperatures as well.
By regulating temperatures based on your day to day schedule, you cut back on wasted energy and ensure that your heating and cooling system is being used effectively.
The right thermostat settings help you save money and energy in the winter, and get better cooling with lower bills in the summer. You can also use different thermostat settings when you’re on vacation.
Use Window Shades and Blinds
During the hotter months of the year, closing your blinds can significantly reduce the temperatures inside your home. If you don’t have blinds, purchasing blackout curtains can also help keep temperatures down, which reduces the strain on your cooling system, ultimately keeping more money in your pocket.
Unplug and Turn Off What You’re Not Using
When you leave to work for the day, you turn off the lights, turn off the TV and all of your electronics, so no energy is being used, right? Unfortunately, that’s not quite true. Even when your electronics are off but still plugged in, they can still use small amounts of electricity.
Two of the best ways to combat this electricity drain are to either unplug your electronics when you’re not using them or to use power strips to streamline the process to be able to “unplug” many devices at once.
Upgrade your HVAC System
Upgrading or replacing your HVAC system is probably one of the last things that you’d think about when striving for a more energy efficient home, but having an old and energy draining system can be one of the biggest factors in hindering your home’s energy efficiency.
There are plenty of new heating and cooling solutions that offer largely increased levels of efficiency, saving you boatloads of money on your utility bills over time.
If your heating or cooling system is due for an upgrade or tune-up, give Snowflake Air a call at (208) 205-9078. We have an excellent reputation for cooling and heating service in Boise, ID and across Treasure Valley.
