More Tips to Lower Your Utility Bill
Posted by Moore Home Services
HVAC Basics
As the seasons start to change it’s time to think about how they will affect your utility bill. We’ve shared simple tips for how to lower your heating bill before, but we’re back with more tips for the spring! While some of our heating tips may seem like a no brainer, you can use the natural heat of the warmer season to your advantage. Read on to learn more tips to lower your utility bill.Think About a Programmable ThermostatWe mentioned this before, but a programmable thermostat is a lifesaver when it comes to home comfort and energy savings. The best thing you can do is make a programmable thermostat work for you. Input the times when your home is naturally warmer or colder and the thermostat does all the work. Also, programmable thermostats start at $20 and depending on your electrical knowhow, you can install it yourself. But, if you don’t know anything about electoral work, we ask you to please call an HVAC technician.Lower the Temperature of Your Water HeaterYour water heater can take up a significant amount of your heating and cooling bill; nearly 18% of energy costs. As the weather gets warmer, consider lowering the temperature of your water heater by 10 or 15 degrees. For every 10 degrees you lower the temperature, you could see savings of 3% to 5%. If you’re feeling up to a small challenge, insulate the pipes around your water heater for even more savings.Wash Clothing on the Cold CycleNot sure if you know this, but nearly 75% of the energy used in washing clothes goes to heating the water. If you want to lower your utility bill, consider washing loads of clothes on the “cold” cycles. It will save around $60 per year, which doesn’t seem like much, but will add up over time. Also, washing your clothes in cold water helps your garments last longer and keep their size and shape.Use Your Microwave and Slow CookerYour oven uses a lot of energy. There’s no way around it. Also, as the weather gets warmer, your oven will add unnecessary heat to the kitchen. One of the best ways to save on your utility bill, and escape the excess heat, is to use a slow cooker and microwave over an oven during the spring and summer months.Change Your Air FilterIf you want to ensure your HVAC system is as efficient as possible, change the filter! If your air filter is dirty, it forces your HVAC system to work overtime, adding more money to your utility bill and more wear and tear to your system. Additionally, the filter cleans the air of dust, dander, and other potentially harmful particles. We recommend replacing the air filter twice every year—once before air conditioning season, and once before furnace season. If you feel uncomfortable doing this yourself, as your HVAC technician to change it for you.Schedule an AC Tune-UpIn addition to changing your air filter, schedule an AC tune-up. When you schedule an AC tune-up with Moore Home Services, we send a skilled HVAC technician to your home where they preform a 6-point AC tune-up and professional cleaning. Our tune-up and cleaning ensure your system is running at peak efficiency and you’re breathing clean, healthy indoor air.Keep Your Freezer FullThough it may seem counter intuitive to keep a fully stocked freezer, hear us out for a second. It takes a decent amount of power to keep your food cold, and if you can give your fridge a break, that’s a good thing, right? By keeping your freezer fully stocked, the food—and probably ice cream—act as a layer of insulation and cuts down the amount of time your refrigerator needs to run.Call Moore Home ServicesIf you want to lower your utility bill, it’s easier than you think. Try out some of the tips mentioned above and call Moore Home Services for an AC tune-up today! Moore Home Services is a Diamond Certified HVAC company serving Santa Rosa and Marin County. Give us a call or fill out our online form to book an appointment.
