Whether it’s summer or the winter that’s just around the corner, these two seasons mean more than just temperature extremes. They also cause your HVAC system to kick into hyperdrive and your energy bills to skyrocket. However, there are ways to lessen the blow. If you suffer from excessive bills at your Plano, Texas, home due to high energy use, here are a few tips to help you cut them dramatically.
Get a Tuneup
One of the best things you can do to lower your bills and extend the lifespan of your HVAC system is schedule a tuneup. It’s usually beneficial to schedule these in the spring and fall, as they help identify problems that can leave you without cooling or heating during summer or winter. During this tuneup, we check your air conditioner’s electrical connections, compressor, and condenser, and clean each of these components. For furnace tuneups, we make sure there are no gas leaks and check the burners, pilot assembly, and heat exchangers. We’ll also replace the filters at no extra charge.
Once our tuneup is complete, you can have peace of mind all season long. If we find a problem, we’ll discuss possible alternatives, such as repair, or even a new AC, furnace, or heat pump.
Replace Weatherstripping
Made of vinyl, rubber, or poly foam, weatherstripping makes a considerable difference in how much air leaks in or out of your house. While some modern doors have an inner insulation, older doors are simply made of wood or hollow metal. Each year, make sure to replace worn or decaying weatherstripping around doors. In some cases, you can even fashion weatherstripping for windows to improve insulation.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you have an old thermostat, it only controls heating and cooling based on the temperature you set. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, it doesn’t give you the versatility, convenience, or cost-cutting power of a smart thermostat. These nifty gadgets allow you to set a temperature based on the time of day, set a weekly schedule, and set zonal temperatures.
The “smart” aspect of these thermostats kick in when they start to set a program based on your usage patterns and habits. Plus, they offer reminders to replace air filters and show real-time energy use. Some even provide advice on how to lower your energy consumption. Although you have an initial cost, the benefits quickly offset the expenditure.
Free Your Registers
Registers, or air vents, allow air from the furnace or AC to drift into your home. When they’re blocked, not only does your home comfort suffer, but it also causes your HVAC system to work harder. This results in higher bills and unnecessary strain on the system, resulting in costly repairs in a much shorter time.
The hard part about clearing your registers is that they’re often located in odd places, especially if the duct work was poorly planned. In older homes, this problem is even more frequent. It’s possible that removing a block from your registers will cause disarray in your interior decor. If that’s the case, grab a pencil and paper and try to conjure up some different layouts.
Change Your Lighting
Lighting is another significant portion of your energy bill, so choosing the right lighting plays a huge role in your costs. One aspect of this is light bulbs. Older, incandescent bulbs are inefficient, using a huge amount of power compared with CFL, LED, and halogen bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to $75 a year by switching your home’s five most-used light fixtures from incandescents to Energy Star bulbs.
Landscape lighting also uses substantial energy, and while it may make your home more aesthetically pleasing, it’s not something you see regularly. If you love the look of your house in the evening, just make the switch to solar lighting, which has only minimal costs, if any, once installed.
By following these simple guidelines, you can kill your high energy bills once and for all. If you find that you’re still burdened by costs even after this, it’s time for you to call Bill Joplin’s. We’ll help diagnose the problem and fix it. You can reach us on our website or at 888-414-4655.
