What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in McHenry?
If you’re looking to save money, a great place to look 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 scheduled your furnace service for the year, that’s a great place to start. We also have some additional tips that can help keep your expenses 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 usually provided free-of-charge and assess everything that is popping up on your utility bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. A lot of utility companies also have rebates for insulation and other things 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 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 returns to normal and you don’t have to worry about a thing. It’s also able to learn your routine, so when baseball and football seasons kick off, your thermostat can make the correct adjustment.
The Department of Energy says 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 remaining comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a number of 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 bet. They offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These usually have four possible temperature phases per day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are best if you keep the same schedule on weekdays and another for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re close to 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. View 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 professionals will help you make a well-informed decision that suits you and your needs.
If you’re not at that point, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system working 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 choices, give us a call at 815-410-1128.