What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Port St. Lucie?
If you’re wanting to save money, a great place to start 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 need a big investment of money or time. If you haven’t arranged for your furnace service for the year, that’s a great 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 do an energy audit of your home. These services are typically provided free-of-charge and include everything that is popping up on your utility bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Many utility companies also have rebates for insulation and other equipment that can boost your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have evolved quite a bit, and the technology behind them only continues to change. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to employ the GPS In your smartphone to determine when you’re leaving and makes the proper change to help you save money and improve 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 adapt to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons start again, your thermostat can make the right adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat could
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 remaining comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a few different models to decide from so pick the one that best meets your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes a lot, a 7-day model is more than likely your best solution. They offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These typically have four possible temperature periods each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are ideal 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 will need to be replaced, it’s a good idea to take a look at all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time comes. 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 experts will help you make a well-informed decision that adapts to you and your needs.
If you’re not ready yet, 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 possibilities, give us a call at 772-247-2283.