What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Logan?
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 typically is 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 scheduled your furnace service for the year, that’s the perfect 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 reach out to your local utility provider, they will come conduct an energy audit of your home. These services are often provided free-of-charge and include everything that is popping up on your monthly bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Most utility companies also can provide rebates for insulation and other items that can improve your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have come a long way, and the technology behind them only continues to expand. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to employ the GPS In your smartphone to determine when you’re leaving and makes the proper change to help you save money and improve efficiency while you’re away. When you return home, everything goes back to normal and you don’t have to worry about making any changes. It’s also able to adapt to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons roll around, your thermostat can make the correct adjustment.
The Department of Energy states that a well programmed thermostat could
decrease your heating costs by up to 35% and your cooling costs by up to 25%. Set your thermostat as low as you can, while ensuring you’re comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are several different models to select from so pick the one that best fits your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, 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 every day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you keep 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 ought to be replaced, it’s a good idea to view all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time arrives. 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 experts will help you make a well-informed decision that adapts to you and your needs.
If you’re not at that point, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t set up your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or choices, give us a call at 435-753-5515.