The winter months bring tons of enjoyable activities and events, but it can also impact your wallet. From holiday lights to keeping your home cozy throughout harsh weather, many Carpentersville families have high energy bills. Luckily, there are easy ways to decrease your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our team at Controlled Comfort HVAC Inc in Carpentersville created 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 decrease 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.
Hold on doing laundry until you can do full loads. This will help save 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: cleaning 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 see the spots where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use more energy. The assessment can show you ways to save the most, including long- and short-term energy-saving possibilities.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your HVAC ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are a number of areas in your home that may be allowing cold air in. Simply tape heavy plastic over the windows, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks around doors and windows. Contact Controlled Comfort HVAC Inc to hear more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One of the simplest ways 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 Carpentersville.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need a new furnace, look into an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save hundreds of dollars every year on annual heating bills over older furnaces. Or, if you’re not quite ready for a replacement, remember to schedule a service visit for your current furnace. A quick 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 Controlled Comfort HVAC Inc in Carpentersville a call at 224-412-8308.