Tips to Keep Energy Bills Low Year-Round
July 14, 2014
At Duggan's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®, we know that consumers need a break when it comes to energy costs. These tips to keep energy bills low are a great way to save money so those dollars can be spent elsewhere.
Avoid Over-Heating and Over-Cooling
A great way to lower energy costs is to closely monitor how much a home is heated and cooled. Installing a digital thermostat with a programmable timer is a great first step. The timer feature allows homeowners to reduce energy use during the time of day when nobody is at home or when everyone is asleep. During the winter, it is a good idea to set the thermostat to 68 degrees during those hours when people will be home and awake. In the summer, an ideal temperature is 78 degrees when people are present. Following these year-round tips to keep energy bills low can make a big impact on utility bills.
Find Alternatives to Heat and Air
During warm months, a person can often feel just as cool with the thermostat set several degrees higher if a fan is circulating the air or even blowing directly on them. Ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to push the cool area downward on warm days. During colder months, overhead fans should rotate clockwise help to push the warm air downward and circulate cool air toward the ceiling. In some climates, it is possible to open windows rather than use air conditioning during the cool hours of the day and night. By installing a whole-house fan, a homeowner can more easily pull the cool air inside. These steps should help reduce the amount of heat and air used each month.
Keep Units in Good Condition
Following these tips to keep energy bills low will start saving money in no time. Duggan's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® is a great resource to keep heating and air systems running efficiently and effectively. Augusta residents can call us at (706) 914-1617.