What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Houston?
If you’re trying 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 typically makes up about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t require a huge 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 reach out to your local utility provider, they will come complete 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. 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 evolved quite a bit, and the technology behind them only continues to expand. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to utilize the GPS In your smartphone to figure out when you’re leaving and makes the proper adjustment to help you save money and increase efficiency while you’re gone. When you return home, everything goes back to normal and you don’t have to worry about making any changes. 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 may
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 ensuring you’re comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are several different models to select from so pick the one that best meets your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, a 7-day model is probably your best choice. They offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These typically have four possible temperature phases each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you keep the same schedule on weekdays and a different one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re nearing the point where your system ought 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. 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 greater the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C pros 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 running 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 713-469-3357.