What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Moline?
If you’re looking to save money, a great place to begin is right inside your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home normally makes up about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t require a large investment of money or time. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year, that’s an ideal place to start. We also have a few additional tips that can help keep your expenses as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you contact your local utility provider, they will come do an energy audit of your home. These services are often provided free-of-charge and account for everything that is popping up on your monthly 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 things that can improve your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have come a long way, and the technology behind them only continues to change. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to employ the GPS In your smartphone to detect when you’re leaving and makes the proper adjustment to help you save money and improve efficiency while you’re away. When you return home, everything goes back to normal and you don’t have to worry about anything. It’s also able to adapt to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons start again, your thermostat can make the right adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat could
decrease your heating costs by up to 35% and your cooling costs by up to 25%. Set your thermostat as low as you can, while remaining comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a few different models to decide from so pick the one that best adapts to your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, a 7-day model is probably your best bet. They offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These normally have four possible temperature phases each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are best if you maintain the same schedule on weekdays and a different one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re nearing the point where your system should be replaced, it’s a good idea to research all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time comes. Check out 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 greater the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C pros will help you make a well-informed decision that meets you and your needs.
If you’re not at that point, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system operating smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t set up your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or options, give us a call at 309-517-7511.