The winter season brings tons of fun activities and events, but it can also take a toll on your budget. From holiday lights to maintaining a warm home in the middle of harsh weather, many Marshalltown families experience high energy bills. Luckily, there are easy ways to decrease your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our team at B & G HVAC in Marshalltown put together 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 reduce the temperature 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 save you 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, remember: 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 find the places where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use extra energy. The assessment can show you how to save as much as possible, 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 cold air seep through. Simply cover drafty windows with a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks on doors and windows. Contact B & G HVAC to learn more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One of the simplest ways to receive lower utility bills is to switch out your older holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last nearly 40 holiday seasons in Marshalltown.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need to replace your furnace, consider an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save significant amounts of money yearly on annual heating bills over older furnaces. Or, if it’s not quite time for a replacement, remember to schedule a service visit for your current system. An easy tune-up can help you achieve lower utility bills by making it easier for the system to do its job.
For more information on how you can lower your utility bills this winter, give B & G HVAC in Marshalltown a call at 641-316-3360.