Smart Actions to Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs

Reduce Heating and Cooling Costs

Bryars Spray Foam many homes, home heating can make up more than 40% of a household energy bill. As colder weather and lower temperatures set in, families usually expect a bump in heating costs this season. But you can help keep your bills down by taking several smart actions to save energy and money.

Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms to reduce the demand on your air conditioning system. By running a fan in a room, you can lower your thermostat setting by up to four degrees and still feel comfortable. This works because a moving air flow speeds up the evaporation of sweat on your skin, so you actually feel cooler — even when your thermostat hasn’t budged.

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Have your heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment professionally inspected and serviced each year. This includes cleaning filters, checking safety features such as carbon monoxide leaks and ensuring the proper operating temperature for maximum efficiency. Consider replacing old heating equipment with units that have earned the ENERGY STAR label. These high-efficiency systems can cut your heating and cooling costs by nearly $140 a year.

Seal and insulate your ducts to avoid heat loss through holes, cracks and other leaks. This can improve the efficiency of your heating, cooling and ventilation system by up to 20 percent.

While some upgrades such as replacing drafty windows, doors and insulation will have the biggest impact on your energy bills, there are a number of low-cost or no-cost strategies you can try. These may include adjusting your thermostat, using energy-efficient lighting and lowering the temperature on the hot water heater. Also, check with your gas or oil company to see if they offer budget billing, which can help spread the cost of higher winter energy bills over the course of the year.

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