What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Menomonie and western Wisconsin?
If you’re wanting 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 usually is about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t need a huge investment of money or time. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year, that’s the perfect 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 reach out to your local utility provider, they will come do an energy audit of your home. These services are typically provided free-of-charge and account for everything that is present on your energy 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 equipment that can increase 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 employ the GPS In your smartphone to figure out when you’re leaving and makes the proper change to help you save money and improve efficiency while you’re gone. When you return home, everything goes to the way it was and you don’t have to worry about making any changes. It’s also able to adapt to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons kick off, your thermostat can make the proper adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat can
reduce your heating costs by up to 35% and your cooling costs by up to 25%. Set your thermostat as low as you can, while ensuring you’re comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a number of different models to choose from so pick the one that best fits your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, a 7-day model is more than likely your best solution. They offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These normally have four possible temperature periods every day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you keep the same schedule on weekdays and a separate one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re nearing the point where your system will need 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 pros will help you make a well-informed decision that adapts to 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 arranged your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or possibilities, give us a call at 715-352-4052.