Monday, January 16, 2017

 

Wintertime can rack up a lot of extra dollars on your energy bill. Between heating your home and taking long, hot showers to get warm, your wallet can take a big hit. Do yourself a favor and follow these tips to use less energy in winter.

 

Non-Money Moves

• Open your drapes, and let natural sunlight help heat your home for free. Just remember to close the drapes once the sun is no longer shining on them.

• Turn off lights when you’re not in the room. This super simple trick makes a big difference in reducing wasted energy.

• Rearrange your furniture in rooms so you’re closer to interiors walls. (Exterior walls tend to be more drafty.) This can help keep your heat, and its costs, low.

• Shorten your showers. Showers account for ⅔ of your water heating costs, so cut your shower time in half, and save energy and money on water heating.

 

Quick-Fixes

• Clean and replace your furnace filters regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and make your furnace work harder to pump air throughout your home.

• Seal up any and all leaks. Fill leaks around windows and doors with caulk, as well as any small leaks on pipes and vents.

• Turn your thermostat down to 68 degrees. Health permitting, turning the heat down and wearing a warm sweater instead can save you energy in heating costs.

 

Investments

• Purchase ENERGY STARⓇ appliances. Buying these appliances can equal big savings on your utility bill since they use significantly less energy than other models.

• Install a programmable thermostat. If you have a heat pump, make sure to purchase one that is designed to be compatible with heat pumps.

• Install high-efficiency windows. When looking to replace your windows, choosing ENERGY STARⓇ ones can reduce your energy costs up to 15%.

 

A.B. May is committed to helping you lower your energy costs this winter. Our highly- skilled technicians are available to help you with your HVAC and plumbing problems anytime you need us. Call us 913-370-4898 for more information.