What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Libertyville?
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 typically is about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t necessitate a big investment of money or time. If you haven’t arranged for your furnace service for the year, that’s the perfect place to start. We also have some 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 conduct an energy audit of your home. These services are often provided free-of-charge and account for everything that is popping up on your energy bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Many utility companies also offer rebates for insulation and other things that can boost your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have been improved a lot, and the technology behind them only continues to evolve. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to employ the GPS In your smartphone to detect when you’re leaving and makes the proper adjustment to help you save money and improve efficiency while you’re gone. 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 says that a well programmed thermostat can
lower 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 choose from so pick the one that best fits your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes a lot, a 7-day model is more than likely your best solution. They give you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These usually have four possible temperature phases each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you have 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 ought to be replaced, it’s a good idea to research all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time necessitates. Look at 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 professionals will help you make a well-informed decision that meets 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 set up your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or options, give us a call at 847-362-0262.