Concerned about money? Have you considered all of the ways you can cut costs without lowering your standard of living? Your energy bill is likely a hefty part of your monthly budget. We want to help you understand all the ways in which you can cut down those costs without making any major sacrifices in your lifestyle.
- Change Air Filters Regularly – It is unbelievable how many air conditioning issues can be avoided by simply cleaning or changing the air filters regularly. Not only will maintaining your air filters save you on AC repair costs, but it will also allow your air conditioning system to perform more efficiently and thus using less energy, which saves you money!
- Purchase a Programmable Thermostat and Use it Properly – Using a programmable thermostat can definitely save you money in the long run. Just set it to a slightly lower/higher setting than usual when you’re gone for the day or when you are sleeping. A few degrees of difference can really pay off on energy usage and also helps prolong the lifetime of your air conditioning system since it won’t have to work as hard.
- Purchase an Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Unit – If your home’s AC unit is 10 years old or more then it is most likely time to upgrade to a more efficient unit. Air conditioning units have come a long way as far as efficiency and today’s models could save you thousands of dollars within just a few years.
- Have Regular Maintenance Checks – It is highly recommended that you call a certified AC technician to perform a preventative maintenance check on your air conditioning system 1-2 times a year, ideally, around the turn of the season. This way, your system will stay in good shape year-round, even when not in use, to avoid any major breakdowns.
- Choose EnergyStar Products – Before purchasing any new appliances, be sure to check for the EnergyStar seal. This will only appear on appliances with the best energy rating standards.
- Choose Energy Efficient Light Bulbs – Trade out those incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lights (CFL). This alone can save you over $35 in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulb. Additionally, they last longer than incandescent bulbs and produce far less heat.
- Window Treatments – Blinds and curtains are there for more than just décor. Open them up on bright days to allow the natural sunlight to warm your house. Close them at night to help insulate the indoor temperature.
- Refrigerators – They can use up to 20 percent of household energy, especially if they are not EnergyStar rated inefficiency. Clean the condenser coils on your fridge and/or freezer twice a year to allow for optimal performance. Also, consider getting rid of any unnecessary mini-fridges in your home if you can do without.
- Seal Cracks – Cracks in your walls, doors, and windows leak air and definitely cost you in the long run. Add some caulk and/or weather-stripping to seal them.
- Unplug – Even when not in use, electronics that remain plugged in are still draining energy. Remove all electronics from the power source when not in use, especially when you leave home for an extended period of time. A way to make this easy is to have multiple electronics plugged into the same surge protecting power strip. That way, you only have to unplug a couple of cords.
