The winter season brings tons of exciting activities and events, but it can also take a toll on your budget. From holiday lights to staying warm in the middle of harsh weather, many East Bernard families are left with high energy expenses. Luckily, you can take some easy steps to reduce your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our experts at E.B. Air, LLC in East Bernard created a list of ways you can save. Try them out and see lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Program your thermostat to lower heating output during hours when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is used when your furnace is set above 68 degrees, so try keeping your home at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake, and reduce the temperature 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 you save on water heating, water usage and on heat used for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than was really necessary, right? And, keep in mind: clearing 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 find the spots where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use extra energy. The assessment can explain how to save on energy expenses, including long- and short-term energy-saving possibilities.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your heating and cooling ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are a number of areas in your home that may be letting cold air seep through. Simply cover drafty windows with a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks on doors and windows. Contact E.B. Air, LLC to hear more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One easy way to achieve lower utility bills is to switch out your older, less efficient holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can work for nearly 40 holiday seasons in East Bernard.
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 a year on annual heating bills compared to older furnaces. Or, if you’ve made a replacement recently, remember to schedule a maintenance visit for your current system. An easy 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 E.B. Air, LLC in East Bernard a call at 979-335-4262.