Strategies for Controlling Your Heating and Cooling Costs
Rising energy costs can cause a painful hit to your monthly budget, whether during the cold winter months or the hot and humid summertime. There are several ways, however, that you can make sure your home is as energy efficient and budget friendly as possible.
Seal Any Possible Air Leaks
Air leaks will drive up the cost of heating and cooling your home. By sealing the cracks and crevices around your home's doors, windows, and even electrical outlets, you'll be able to reduce the amount of energy lost to drafts and drive down your heating and cooling bills.
Make Sure Your Home Is Properly Insulated
Poor attic insulation will lead to a large amount of wasted heat. So, make sure your attic has the correct amount of insulation in place to prevent your energy costs from going through the roof.
Ensure Your Air Vents Are Uncovered
Homes with forced air heating and cooling systems often have their vents or registers on the floor. If furniture or draperies block these vents, they will not be able to properly direct the air flow through your home. As a result, your heating and cooling systems will operate below their highest levels of efficiency.
Have Your Heating and Cooling Systems Serviced Each Year
While paying for a service call while these systems are working might not strike you as a worthwhile investment, having a technician check your system annually will help reduce your energy bills dramatically. The service tech will make sure the system is working at its peak efficiency and can identify any potential problems before they turn into large repair expenses.
Install Ceiling Fans
A ceiling fan will help mix a room's air and keep the room's temperature comfortable all year round. It makes sure the warm air in the winter doesn't wind up trapped at ceiling level and can keep a room cooler during the summer. Be sure to set your fan to rotate in the right direction to facilitate this air flow. It needs to be set so it pulls up the cool air provided by your air conditioner in the summer and pushes down the hot air in the winter. Most new fans will have a switch that allows you to change their rotations.
Set Your Thermostat Wisely
Setting your thermostat a few degrees higher during the summer and a few degrees lower during the winter will help you reduce your energy bills. Also, be sure to set the thermostat to “auto” to make sure the blower fan won't run all day long and add to your bills.
