Five Ways to Keep Your Energy Costs in Check this Fall
With so many costs going up, many of us are concerned about energy costs for the coming fall and winter. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to lower energy expenses— while increasing the comfort of your home.
You will also increase the value of your home with these effective energy-saving measures:
- Get a Furnace/Boiler Checkup Before Temps Drop
Make a habit of having your furnace or boiler professionally tuned up and cleaned just before the weather starts turning colder. Make sure your entire HVAC system is in top condition — and replace your furnace filter at least every 90 days — to help your HVAC system run as efficiently as possible. This will reduce your utility bills over time, while keeping you and your family warmer.
- Consider a Tankless Water Heater
Upgrading to a tankless water heater will save on energy and expenses compared to a traditional water heater. New high-efficiency, condensing tankless water heaters are engineered to replace larger, conventional storage tank-type units, cutting both installation time and costs substantially.
These wall-hung units saves floor space.
Tankless water heaters efficiently provide continuous hot water, along with big energy savings. In addition, they result in reduced carbon emissions and have a longer life expectancy than traditional models.
Tankless water heaters use top-mounted water connections, avoiding the need for additional and costly plumbing. You can often find money-saving rebate programs from your local gas utility for your new tankless water heater.
- Insulate the Attic
Heat rises, so if your attic is not properly insulated, you may be losing a lot of heated air through your roof. Lack of good attic insulation can also lead to damage from ice buildup, which is costly to repair.
If you own an older home, it’s a good idea to have your attic inspected for insulation before winter. And while older homes are the least likely to have proper insulation, it’s also worth having a Cincinnati HVAC contractor check your newer home to see if your attic is under-insulated.
- Turn Down the Thermostat—or Try a Programmable One
Experts recommend lowering your thermostat a few degrees during the day and then lowering it even more at night. You can save as much as 10% off your heating bill by turning your thermostat down 7°-10°F for just 8 hours a day.
With a programmable thermostat, you don’t have to remember to turn the temperature down. The latest models allow excellent control of the energy you’re using to heat your home.
You can make sure you’re not wasting heat when you’re asleep or gone. When you are traveling or on vacation, new smart thermostats allow you to adjust your home’s thermostat controls remotely, using your phone or another electronic device.
- Look for Leaks
Every year, homeowners lose a lot of heated air through leaks around windows, doors and chimneys. Inspecting your home for leaks can alert you to spots where you may need to improve caulking, flashing or weather-stripping for a fairly low-cost fix.
For a longer-term solution, you may want to consider replacing older, less energy-efficient windows and doors. For help finding leaks, call your utility company. Many provide energy audits to help locate trouble spots.
- Warm up with Rugs
Rugs provide a layer of insulation, separating your feet from cold hard floors. Areas rugs with a pad underneath warm up a room while providing decoration.
By taking a few of these steps, you can help your family stay comfortable all winter, while also helping to save energy and protect your budget.