The winter months bring tons of enjoyable activities and events, but it can also impact your pocketbook. From holiday lights to keeping your home cozy throughout harsh weather, many Savage families have high energy costs. Luckily, you can take some easy steps to decrease your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our experts at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning in Savage created a list of ways you can save. Try them out and experience lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Set your thermostat to lower heating output during hours when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is consumed when your furnace is set above 68 degrees, so try keeping your home at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake, and decrease to 55-65 degrees at times when you’re away at work, out of town or sleeping to achieve lower utility bills.
2. Make sure you only wash when you have full loads.
Hold on doing laundry until you can run full loads. This will help save money on water heating, water usage and on heat required for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than you have to anyway, right? And, don’t forget: cleaning the lint trap after every load can save you up to $34 a year, according to PG&E.
3. Conduct a home energy audit.
A home energy audit can help you determine the spots where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use more energy. The assessment can explain how to save the most, including long- and short-term energy-saving solutions.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your HVAC ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are many areas in your home that may be letting in unwanted cold air. Simply cover windows with plastic, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks on doors and windows. Contact Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning to hear more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One of the easiest ways to get lower utility bills is to switch out your less efficient holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these energy efficient lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can work for nearly 40 holiday seasons in Savage.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need a new furnace, think about purchasing an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save up to $800 every year on annual heating bills over older furnaces. Or, if it’s not quite time for a replacement, remember to schedule a routine maintenance visit for your current equipment. A quick tune-up can help you achieve lower utility bills by making it easier for the system to operate.
For more information on how you can reduce your utility bills this winter, give Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning in Savage a call at 952-373-0377.