Seasonal Tips to Reduce Your HVAC Costs in the New Year

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The New Year is upon us! Here are a few favorite energy saving strategies that will make your home eco-friendlier and help you save money, no matter what the weather.

Reduce HVAC Costs During Cooler Months

Close up all Air Leaks in Your Home

When the temperatures drop outdoors, it’s good to keep cold air from entering into your home so you’ll stay warm indoors. This can be an uphill battle if your home has leaks around the perimeter, such as around doorways or windows. Check for leaks by running a small candle around where you suspect drafts (think of cold spots in your home). The candle’s flame will flicker if it’s drafty. If you find a draft, be sure to seal it up using either weather stripping or caulking.

Adjust Your Thermostat for Savings

During the winter, it’s tempting to want to crank up the heat to stay cozy. This year, instead of turning up the thermostat, try turning it down (at night, that is). Sleep experts agree that your body actually responds better to lower temperatures when falling asleep, with the ideal temperature near 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Before you go to bed, set your thermostat to 68 degrees and layer on the blankets. You’ll sleep better and save money during the winter months.

Toss On Extra Layers

Even though we’re pretty used to rooms being at a temperature that suits wearing shorts and a tee-shirt, it’s totally possible to stay comfortable at a cooler indoor temperature. Just put on a sweater or wrap up with a throw blanket. If you reduce your thermostat’s temperature from 72 degrees to 70 degrees, you could save around 5% in energy costs. So, slip on a sweater and enjoy the cozy savings!

Reduce HVAC Costs During Warmer Months

Add Shade to Your AC Unit

Keep your AC unit running at its best by providing it a shaded area to do its job. You can either build a structure near the unit to provide shade, or plant a compatible bush nearby that will help dim the direct sunlight. Shade will help keep your unit from getting too hot from the sunshine, and this will allow it to work more efficiently in cooling your home.

Keep The Air Circulating to Keep Cool

Warm air rises, so an easy way to keep the rooms in your home cool is to add a fan or two to help distribute the cool air throughout your home. The fans will not only circulate air, but help alleviate a little of the work that your AC unit would have to do.

Turn Down Your AC When Not at Home

When away from our home, such as during the day at work or when out for extended day-trips, set your thermostat a little warmer. Every degree counts when it comes to how hard your AC unit has to work to keep your home cool, so use it most when you’re home to enjoy it.

For some more tips on energy savings, check out our article on conserving water at home.

Lower The AC Or Turn On A Ceiling Fan: Which Is More Energy Efficient?

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Have you been looking for an effective way to lower summer cooling bills? With the temperatures rising, many homeowners are anxious to find strategies to keep energy bills affordable; however, the thought of a summer spent in the sweltering heat with no relief is certainly not the answer. Fortunately, you do have options. A recent report by the New York Times outlines the cost of running an air conditioner versus simply using a ceiling fan. While a central air conditioning system, or even a window air conditioner, can provide a much cooler environment, a ceiling fan can help lower your cooling costs by working together with your air conditioner to keep temperatures comfortable while also saving you money.

The New York Times report stated that the cost of operating a typical ceiling fan for one hour was only 1 cent, while a central air conditioner would cost 36 cents per hour and a window air conditioner 14 cents. For most homeowners, the use of a ceiling fan alone might not be enough to provide a sufficiently comfortable indoor temperature but, using a ceiling fan in conjunction with an air conditioner can provide the same level of comfort as using an air conditioner by itself. The only difference would be in the amount of energy used as well as home energy costs. In fact, even a high efficiency air conditioning system can be used with a ceiling fan in order to lower energy consumption and monthly utility bills.

The report issued by the Times states that the use of a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the setting on your home’s air conditioner by up to 12 degrees, without any difference in indoor temperature from just running the air conditioner on its own. This certainly provides an opportunity to save a significant amount of money over the span of an entire cooling season.

An energy savings plan is an important part of reducing cooling costs this summer. Fortunately, a few simple strategies can make a big difference in your monthly energy bills. For example, when you want A/C money saving tips, it is clear that using a ceiling fan can help. Other strategies to add to your summer energy savings plan include making sure your weather stripping is in good condition, professional A/C maintenance, installing a programmable thermostat and minimizing sun exposure by planting trees or keeping blinds closed. If you want to save money this summer, now is the time to put together your energy savings plan.