Steps to Save Money on Home Heating Bills

Winter is getting ready to rear its ugly head soon and our home furnaces across the country will be cranking into high-gear. Of course, this means your home energy bill will be increasing, too.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average household spends $1,900 annually on energy (based on electricity and gas usage), and energy conservationists claim that much of that, is money wasted.

It doesn’t have to be that way. At Greenory.com we believe that if we can help you Live Green, you will Save Green. You can help the environment and ease the pain and suffering of your checking account at the same time. Just by following some of these 7 basic steps you can cut your home energy bills by up to one-half.

 

Step 1 - Upgrade Your Thermostat [top]

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), you could cut your heating and cooling bills by 10% annually, just by turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours a day. It easy to find the 8 hours, too, since most of us are away from the home working for 8 hours per day and attempting to sleep for another 6 to 8 hours per day. That’s’ a whole bunch of time when it would make sense to adjust your home’s temperature.

Installing a programmable thermostat shouldn't set you back more than $100 to $150—and the energy savings can be substantial. You already have a programmable thermostat? Then it’s even easier for you to just simply- Adjust and Save!

 

Step 2 – Spring Cleaning [top]

Yes, we are still talking about your air-conditioner, especially since so many of us use them daily and keeping your air-conditioning unit clean and in peak performance is another big money saver. Try to do annual spring cleaning of your AC unit, by having it professional tuned up. The average costs is about $90 and $120, says Maria Vargas, an Energy Star spokesperson at the EPA.

Additionally, air-conditioning filters on both central air and the individual units, should generally be checked every month or so to see if they need cleaning or replacement. It’s in your house, so don’t be afraid to look yourself.

Another item to add to your spring cleaning list: Dusting off your refrigerator condenser coils. This will make the unit run more efficiently.

 

Step 3 – Not a Big Fan [top]

Okay, something other than your AC. A ceiling fan can balance out a room's temperature, allowing you to turn down the AC and still feel cool. Some fans are pretty trendy looking and can help upgrade your home’s style.

 

Step 4 - Live Green, Plant Green! [top]

Did you know that planting just three shady trees around your house can knock-off $100 to $250 off your annual heating and cooling bills? It’s true. According to the DOE, because “leafy” trees can shield the house from direct sunlight during the summer, helping to keep the temperatures down, while still permitting sunlight to hit your house during the winter months

Since shade is so important during the summer, you could try pulling the shades or drawing your curtains to cut energy costs, as well. Every little bit helps.

 

Step 5 – Time to Use the Spiral CFL Bulb’s [top]

Until LED technology catches up with a daily home-ready product, Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (called CFLs) are the way to go. CFL’s require 75% less energy than traditional or incandescent light bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer, according to the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE).

Look for CFLs with the Energy Star label, since these bulbs won't have any buzzing or humming problems. CFL’s now come in smaller sizes (called subcompacts) that can fit into any lamp, and they have a wider color spectrum. The ASE states that replacing just four well-used 100-watt incandescent bulbs with equivalent 23-watt CFLs will save you $120 to $200 over three years.

 

Step 6 – Manage Your Power [top]

This topic of Power Usage will be addressed a great deal at Greenory. That’s because even when all of your home electronics are turned off, many continue to suck down energy. True fact. The main culprits: TV’s, VCRs, DVD players, stereos, phones, cell chargers, computer monitors, printers, and microwave ovens.

According to the EPA, idle televisions cost U.S. consumers $600 million annually, or $5 per household, according to the EPA. $5 may not seem like much by itself, but add it up with all if the other home appliances and it starts to add up quickly. One solution: Plug the items that can truly be turned completely off into a power strip, and then use that as your on/off switch.

 

Step 7 - Appliance Upgrade [top]

We obviously don’t want you to spend more money than is necessary, but easily the biggest way to save energy with your home appliances is to invest in the latest energy-efficient appliances. In many instances the amount of annual energy savings will offset the cost of the new appliance in a few short years.  For example, if your central-air-conditioning unit is more than 10 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star-qualified model could cut your operating costs by 30%. Be sure to look for the Energy Star label when you are shopping around all of your appliances.