What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Cottonwood & Prescott?
If you’re trying to save money, a great place to begin is right inside your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home normally makes up about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t require a large 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 some additional tips that can help keep your bills as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you contact your local utility provider, they will come complete an energy audit of your home. These services are often provided free-of-charge and assess everything that is present on your utility bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. A lot of utility companies also offer rebates for insulation and other things that can increase your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have been improved a lot, and the technology behind them only continues to expand. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to use the GPS In your smartphone to detect when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and boost efficiency while you’re away. When you return home, everything returns to normal and you don’t have to worry about a thing. It’s also able to adjust to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons kick off, your thermostat can make the proper adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat may
decrease 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 a few different models to select 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 offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These normally have four possible temperature periods each 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 close to the point where your system should be replaced, it’s a good idea to research all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time arrives. Check out 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 higher the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C pros will help you make a well-informed decision that adapts to you and your needs.
If you’re not at that point, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system operating smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t arranged your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or options, give us a call at 928-251-4327.