When it comes to energy use, every household must learn to save as much as they can. After all, who does not want to cut their monthly utility bills in half or a third? Every homeowner loves to earn a few discounts here and there.
HOW TO LOWER YOUR WATER HEATING COSTS
The lure of a hot, steamy shower is always hard to resist especially if you come home from a long day at work with tired, aching muscles. Leaving the shower open and streaming down while we relax can last longer than expected. Before we know it, our monthly electricity bill becomes bloated. Here are some tips to lower your water heating costs:
$1· Use less hot water.
$1· Install low flow fixtures in your bathroom. Low flow showerheads and faucets may cost more than regular ones but in the end, it can help you save on water by as much as 60 percent.
$1· If you have the budget, buy a solar powered water heater. Definitely, a good investment will let you save on your monthly utility bills.
$1· Avoid putting your thermostat up to the maximum level all the time. Turn it down when it is all right to. Ideally, set the thermostat at 120 degrees F.
$1· Buy appliances with high-energy star such as washing machines and dishwashers.
$1· Wash clothes in cold water.
$1· Check pipes and your water heater for leaks or problems. A drip per second can cost you a dollar per month.
$1· Insulate pipes and your water heater according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
HOW TO LOWER YOUR HOME HEATING BILL DURING WINTER
During winter season, your house needs all the heat it can get. If your house remains cold even when the thermostat is running high, there could be something wrong with your heating unit or your house needs additional insulation to trap warm air inside. In order to help you save on heating cost during winter, here are some useful tips:
$1· Cover windows with plastic film. Almost 25 percent of heat escapes through windows and doors. Providing plastic coverage to windows and patio doors help you save on heating at a lower cost ($6 per 62×84 inch roll).
$1· Buy a portable heater so you do not need to turn your furnace high to warm up a single room. For instance, if the family is gathered in the living room, a portable heater can be used to warm up the single room only. This is cheaper compared to furnace cost when heating up the whole house.
$1· Eliminate space around doors by raising thresholds and replacing worn weather stripping. Once you see light streaming out the threshold and around the door, you need to either raise the threshold, replace the weather stripping or do both.
$1· Fill holes on walls and seal gaps. Cables, wires and pipelines that enter the house often leave gaps around them. This can be a route for heat to escape. To prevent this from happening, seal them with expanding foam or caulk for pipelines.
$1· Another route for heat loss are areas around electrical outlets. They usually do not have insulation around them so air may flow through them. To prevent heat loss, remove the cover plate and fill the space with foam sealant or caulk depending on how big the space is.
$1· Invest in a chimney balloon. Despite closing the flue, warm air inside your home could still escape up the chimney when the fireplace is not in use. Using a chimney balloon can further seal the space. It is safe to use too as it automatically deflates when the fireplace is lighted so it will not catch fire or trap the smoke inside the house.
$1· Add insulation to the attic door so warm air would not escape through the hatch. Make sure the attic door closes flat and there are no obstructions in the opening.
$1· Keep your heating registers free from obstructions. Keeping your heating registers and grilles obstructed would not permit warm air from entering your house or a particular room in it. Your heating system ends up working more for less heating effect.
$1· Utilize the natural heat from the sun as much as you can. Once the sun comes out, open your curtains and drapes to let the sun in to your home. Even though you keep the windows closed, the heat can still penetrate through the windows.
$1· Close and lock windows before it freezes. If you just close the windows without locking them, you end up not being able to lock them anymore once they are frozen.
CALL AN HVAC COMPANY TO HAVE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM CHECKED
When it comes to Lewes heating maintenance, Fenwick heating maintenance, Rehoboth heating maintenance, Fenwick Island heating maintenance, Bethany heating maintenance, Berlin heating maintenance, Lewes Beach heating maintenance, Rehoboth Beach heating maintenance, Bethany Beach heating maintenance, Dover heating maintenance, Milton heating maintenance, Bear heating maintenance, and Berlin heating maintenance, First Class HVAC does an excellent job of checking your furnaces, gas fireplace and other heating unit. Although a certain amount needs to be shelled out for service fee, tuning up the units can definitely improve their performance and life expectancy for a few more years.
If you want to talk to one of our technicians, just dial in Delaware (302) 307 4530 for New Castle, (302) 804 1309 for Sussex, or (302) 213 8396 for Kent or (410) 713 4099 for Maryland. You may also drop us a message through the online contact form in the website.