What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Tucson?
If you’re wanting 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 usually makes up about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t necessitate a huge 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 some additional tips that can help keep your bills as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you get a hold of your local utility provider, they will come complete an energy audit of your home. These services are often provided free-of-charge and include everything that is showing up on your utility bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Many utility companies also offer rebates for insulation and other items that can boost 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 utilize the GPS In your smartphone to determine when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and boost 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 roll around, your thermostat can make the right adjustment.
The Department of Energy says that a well programmed thermostat could
lower your heating costs by up to 35% and your cooling costs by up to 25%. Set your thermostat as low as you can, while still staying 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 fits your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, a 7-day model is probably your best solution. They provide you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These typically have four possible temperature phases each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are best if you keep the same schedule on weekdays and a different one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re almost to 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 arrives. 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 better the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C professionals 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 running smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or options, give us a call at 520-200-1048.