What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Haines City?
If you’re looking to save money, a great place to start is right inside your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home typically accounts for about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t require a big investment of money or time. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year, that’s an ideal place to start. We also have a couple additional tips that can help keep your expenses as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you contact your local utility provider, they will come do an energy audit of your home. These services are usually provided free-of-charge and include everything that is popping up on your energy bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Most utility companies also offer rebates for insulation and other things that can improve your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have evolved quite a bit, and the technology behind them only continues to expand. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to utilize the GPS In your smartphone to determine when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and improve efficiency while you’re gone. When you return home, everything goes to the way it was and you don’t have to worry about making any changes. It’s also able to learn your routine, so when baseball and football seasons start again, your thermostat can make the proper adjustment.
The Department of Energy says that a well programmed thermostat can
reduce your heating costs by up to 35% and your cooling costs by up to 25%. Set your thermostat as low as you can, while still staying comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are several different models to choose from so pick the one that best adapts to your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, a 7-day model is probably your best solution. They provide you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These typically have four possible temperature periods every day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are best if you maintain the same schedule on weekdays and a separate one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re nearing the point where your system will need to be replaced, it’s a good idea to take a look at all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time comes. View the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of air conditioners and the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of the furnaces. The higher the ratings, the greater the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C experts will help you make a well-informed decision that suits you and your needs.
If you’re not there yet, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system operating smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t set up your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or choices, give us a call at 863-216-2923.