It's always a good idea to periodically examine your expenses so you can identify areas where you can save money, and one big area where you can see financial improvement is in your monthly power bills.
There are a variety of ways that your power bills can grow larger than they should be, but you can take steps to reduce your power consumption while still maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.
Big-ticket items like your home, ventilation and air conditioning equipment do account for a large portion of your power bill, which explains why homeowners will want to make sure their HVAC systems are running as efficiently as possible. Here are some tips for keeping your power bill low so you can hold onto more of your hard-earned money.
Use a Smart Thermostat
Do you manually activate your HVAC system, pushing a button to increase or decrease the temperature whenever you want to make a change? It's far better to install a smart thermostat that you can program ahead of time. Whenever the temperature reaches the threshold you've set, the HVAC system will kick in automatically.
Some new smart thermostats actually connect to the Internet. They let you keep tabs on your energy use and even adjusting the temperature while you're on the go, using your office computer or smartphone to control the settings.
Schedule Regular Inspections and Maintenance
When was the last time you had your HVAC system inspected and cleaned? When dirt and dust build up on the equipment during the course of normal operations, it will tend to function less efficiently.
When your HVAC system has to work harder because of dust build up, the result will be higher power bills. You need to contact a qualified and professionally trained HVAC technician to do inspections and maintenance on a periodic basis to keep it functioning in tip-top shape for maximum efficiency.
Go Green
Many homeowners who are concerned about the state of the environment today want to do their part to protect the planet by "going green." Moreover, it is true that the lower your power bill is, the lower your carbon footprint will be.
Some green tips for keeping your power bill low include:
* Put in windows with insulated glazing
* Replace old-fashioned incandescence light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent or LED bulbs
* Insulate your attic to keep your home warm in the winter
* Use weather stripping to seal gaps around doors and windows
Small Changes Add Up to Big Savings on Your Power Bill
There are a number of smaller things you and your family can do to further keep your power bills low.
For example, always turn off lights when you leave a room, unless you know you will be returning in a few minutes.
Don't stand in front of a refrigerator with the door open for minutes at a time, figuring out what you want to eat (let alone snacking from the fridge directly!). This lets out cold air and will make your refrigerator have to work harder.
Set your computer monitor to cycle off after a period of inactivity, such as when 10 minutes go by without a click of the keyboard or movement of the mouse.
Plug home office equipment and appliances into power strips so you can turn everything off all at once when you are done using various items.
At David Gray Heating & Air, we know how important it is for homeowners to keep their power bills as low as possible, which is why we are proud to offer regular cleaning, maintenance and inspection services to people living in the greater Jacksonville, FL area and surrounding regions. We will also be happy to consult with you and install an energy-saving smart thermostat to help you use your HVAC equipment more efficiently and further decrease your utility bills. For details or to set an appointment, please contact David Gray Heating & Air today.