The winter months bring lots of fun activities and events, but it can also do a number on your pocketbook. From holiday lights to maintaining a warm home throughout harsh weather, many Rockford families have high energy expenses. Luckily, there are easy ways to decrease your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our professionals at Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc in Rockford came up with a list of ways you can save. Try them out and see lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Change your thermostat to lower heating output during hours when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is consumed when your furnace is set above 68 degrees, so try keeping your home at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake, and lower to 55-65 degrees at times when you’re away at work, out of town or sleeping to achieve lower utility bills.
2. Make sure you only wash when you have full loads.
Don’t do laundry until you can do full loads. This will save you money on water heating, water usage and on heat needed for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than was really necessary, right? And, don’t forget: clearing out the lint trap after every load can save you up to $34 a year, according to PG&E.
3. Conduct a home energy audit.
A home energy audit can help you find the areas where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use extra energy. The assessment can show you ways to save on energy expenses, including long- and short-term energy-saving solutions.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your heating and cooling ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are plenty of areas in your home that may be letting in unwanted cold air. Simply cover windows with plastic, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks around doors and windows. Contact Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc to hear more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One easy way to receive lower utility bills is to switch out your older holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last nearly 40 holiday seasons in Rockford.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need to upgrade your furnace, consider an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save significant amounts of money a year on annual heating bills compared to older furnaces. Or, if it’s not quite time for a replacement, remember to schedule a maintenance visit for your current furnace. A simple tune-up can help you achieve lower utility bills by making it easier for the system to operate.
For more information on how you can reduce your utility bills this winter, give Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc in Rockford a call at (815)914-6197.