Posting Date: February 13, 2017
Posted by: Christopher Barbato, Sarasota Branch Manager
Looking to save money on your monthly energy bill? Here are some of the most cost-effective ways to do it:
- Weatherize! As much as one-fifth of the warm air produced in your home escapes through leaks in windows and doorways – which makes your home heating system have to work harder for longer to give you the same amount of comfort that you would if it was air tight. Investing as little as $50 in simple door brushes and weather stripping can give you quite a lot of bill-fighting bang for your buck.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat. Why pay to heat the house when there’s no one home? Today’s programmable thermostats are smarter and easier to use than ever, and they’ll pay for themselves in as little as one year.
- Maintain your HVAC equipment. Furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners all lose efficiency over time – especially if you skip routine maintenance. Never skip an annual tune-up, which can also spot small issues before they become costly repairs.
- Adjust the thermostat on your water heater. The default thermostat setting on your water heater is usually about 140 degrees; 120 should be fine for just about any domestic hot water application. Look for instructions in your owner’s manual – and if you can’t find them, call us.
- Use ceiling fans. Yes, even – or especially – when you’re running the air conditioner! Moving air feels cooler; that means you can run the AC three to four degrees cooler without sacrificing comfort. That could save you hundreds of dollars a year.
- Always fill your dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer. Never waste a load by filling your energy-sucking appliances half full. With your clothes washer, be sure to match the water level to the size of your load of wash.
- Use the sun to your advantage. Open curtains during the daytime to let the greenhouse effect warm your room, then close them at night to keep the warm air in.
You can find more great energy saving tips here!
Looking for other ways to save money on home heating and cooling systems? Broward can help! Call us today for a FREE estimate on equipment for your home.