The cold season brings tons of fun activities and events, but it can also take a toll on your budget. From holiday lights to keeping your home cozy throughout harsh weather, many South Beloit and Belvidere families have high energy costs. Luckily, there are steps you can take to cut back your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our team at Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc in South Beloit and Belvidere put together a list of ways you can save. Try them out and experience lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Set your thermostat to lower heating output when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is required 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.
Put off doing laundry until you have enough for full loads. This will save you money on water heating, water usage and on heat required for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than you have to anyway, right? And, keep in mind: cleaning 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 see the areas where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use excess energy. The assessment can show you ways to save the most, including long- and short-term energy-saving solutions.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your heating and cooling ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are many areas in your home that may be allowing cold air in. Simply tape heavy plastic over the windows, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks coming through doors and windows. Contact Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc to find out more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One easy way to achieve lower utility bills is to switch out your 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 last nearly 40 holiday seasons in South Beloit and Belvidere.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need to replace your furnace, look into an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save hundreds of dollars a year on annual heating bills over older furnaces. Or, if you’ve made a replacement recently, remember to schedule a service visit for your current system. A quick tune-up can help you achieve lower utility bills by making it easier for the system to do its job.
For more information on how you can reduce your utility bills this winter, give Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc in South Beloit and Belvidere a call at 877-389-2465.