When temperatures drop below freezing or rise to the point of
sweltering, does it seem like your wallet develops leaks? If keeping your home
comfortable year-round taxes your budget or tempts you to forgo comfort, you
need to find a better way.
Try implementing simple
methods to lower your heating and cooling bills.
Save on Air Conditioning
If you didn't have to
heat or cool your home, you could easily cut
your energy bills in half, as the
Department of Energy points out. Few people want to return to the days before
air conditioning and central heat, however. The problem, then, is balancing
comfort with affordability. Try implementing these cooling strategies to save
money while keeping cool.
Raise the AC temperature. Most experts suggest setting
your thermostat to about 78 degrees
when you're at home and around 85 degrees when you will be gone four hours or
longer. For every degree higher you set the thermostat, you may save 1 to 3
percent on your energy bill.
Get a tune-up. As much as you may hate to spend the money, having your
central air or window air conditioning unit serviced before the start of the
cooling season will keep it operating efficiently and help ensure it doesn't
break down at the worst moment possible.
Create wind chill. Moving air always makes you feel a little cooler. Purchase,
install and run fans to help cool off even with the thermostat set higher. For
ceiling fans, set the blades to spin counterclockwise, creating a cooling
downward breeze. Turn off fans when you leave the room for more than a few
minutes to conserve energy.
Take advantage of cool nights and mornings. If the temperature outside is lower than inside, turn off
the AC, open the doors and windows, and allow the outside air to come in. Not
only is fresh air healthy, but you can keep your house from heating up too
early in the day.
Develop a green thumb. Trees and shrubs beautify your property and, when planted
strategically, help shade your home. Shade means less need for summer cooling.
Also, plant shade trees or shrubs around your AC unit so that it doesn't have
to work as hard.
Block your windows. Save soaking up the sun for time spent outdoors. Inside,
draw curtains to block out the sun. Look into window film to block sunlight and
insulate the glass. Blinds, shades, shutters and other options exist as well.
Save on Heating
Don't let winter's frigid
temperatures make your energy bills soar sky-high. Focus on a few strategies
that keep the cold at bay while preventing the heat from leaking out of your
home.
Lower your heating thermostat. When heating your home, keep your thermostat set at 68
degrees. At night and when you leave the house for four hours or longer, try
setting it for between 55 and 60 degrees (if you have pets, you may want it
closer to 60).
Have your furnace serviced. Even if it seems to work fine, having your furnace or
heating system checked and serviced at the start of every heating season helps
prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensures it operates efficiently.
Reverse your ceiling fans. Using ceiling fans isn't just for summer. In the winter,
reverse the ceiling fan so the blades spin clockwise. This forces the warm air
down as it sucks the cool air up toward the ceiling.
Install storm windows. Your windows are responsible for losing a tremendous
amount of energy. New, energy-efficient windows are best if you can afford
them. If you can't, install storm windows (and doors) in the winter to help
prevent heat loss.
Get a snake. Don't like snakes? You'll like this one: Draft-stopping
snakes fit along the bottom edge of a door to prevent drafts. Even a rolled-up
towel will work.
Year-Round Heating and Cooling Efficiency
Change your filters. Changing HVAC filters is critical. Changing your filters
will prevent dust and dirt from clogging the system and causing inefficiency.
Learn to use caulk and weatherstripping. Check for drafts around windows, doors, and places where
wiring, plumbing and other items enter the home. Caulk and weatherstripping
will stop much of the air leakage. Use expanding foam insulation where
appropriate.
Seal your ductwork. Duct tape only goes so far. Hire a professional or seal your ducts with sealant and special tape to increase your energy
efficiency.
Add some insulation. Unless your home was built recently, it may not have the
insulation it requires. Insulation matters in both hot and cold weather. Add
insulation, especially in the attic, to lower your heating and cooling bills.
Calculate your insulation value by measuring the thickness and multiplying by
the material's R-value. Compare to the Department
of Energy's guidelines.
Get a new thermostat. A programmable thermostat can save you a significant
amount of money by automatically adjusting the temperature according to your
schedule.
Have an energy audit performed. A professional energy audit identifies where your home is
losing heat. Many local energy companies offer free or low-cost audits to their
customers.
Many people find it
challenging to set their thermostat higher in the summer and cooler in the
winter. Once your body adjusts, the new temperature won't be as difficult to
maintain. Consider adjusting the setting by 2 degrees at a time over a period
of weeks. Before you know it, you will be used to the new normal and enjoying
every dollar you save.
Your Local San Diego Real Estate Expert,
