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Tips to lower utility costs
PHOTOSPIN
1. Turn lights off. Lighting fixtures also add heat to the home, which then has to be removed by the air conditioner.
2. Chargers are using electricity as long as they are plugged into a receptacle even though they are not connected to a cell phone or a computer. When not in use, unplug the chargers.
3. TVs, cable boxes and sound components are partially “on” even when switched “off.” If you unplug them or turn off a power bar connected to them , they are no longer using electricity.
4. Do the laundry less often to save both energy and water.
5. Set the thermostat a few degrees warmer in the summer or a few degrees cooler in the winter. Better yet: If you are not home during the day, purchase a programmable thermostat that will eventually pay for itself .
6. Change the filter on the furnace blower often. A dirty filter reduces airflow through the ducts, making the equipment work harder and longer.
7. Clean the outside unit of the air conditioner. A dirty outside coil (the tubing that is visible around the exterior of the outside unit) has to be clean to function at maximum efficiency. Dirt, grass clippings, shrubs, vines or anything that blocks airflow through the coils needs to be removed.
8. Have the air conditioner and the furnace inspected and serviced twice a year.
9. The attic floor, the band board around the foundation and the foundation walls need to be insulated. The initial costs to insulate may be high, but you can expect significantly lower utility bills, which will eventually offset these costs.
10. Caulk, seal, spray foam or whatever you have to do to stop air leaks at windows, doors and openings at exterior walls and ceiling penetrations. Most insulating materials are thermal blocks only and do not offer resistance to air leakage.
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