What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Mount Pleasant?
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 normally accounts for about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t necessitate 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 costs as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you get a hold of your local utility provider, they will come do an energy audit of your home. These services are usually provided free-of-charge and assess everything that is popping up on your monthly bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Most utility companies also offer rebates for insulation and other equipment that can improve 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 use the GPS In your smartphone to determine when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and boost efficiency while you’re gone. When you return home, everything goes to the way it was and you don’t have to worry about a thing. It’s also able to adjust to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons roll around, your thermostat can make the correct adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat can
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 still staying comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a few different models to choose from so pick the one that best meets your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes quite a bit, a 7-day model is more than likely your best bet. They provide you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These normally have four possible temperature stages each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are best if you maintain the same schedule on weekdays and a separate one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re close to the point where your system should be replaced, it’s a good idea to view all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time arrives. 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 professionals will help you make a well-informed decision that suits you and your needs.
If you’re not there yet, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system working smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or choices, give us a call at 843-485-0967.