What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Naples?
If you’re looking to save money, a great place to look is right inside your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home typically makes up about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t necessitate a large investment of money or time. If you haven’t scheduled your furnace service for the year, that’s a great place to start. We also have a couple additional tips that can help keep your bills as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you reach out to 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 monthly bill, from your heating and cooling system to your kitchen and laundry appliances. Many utility companies also can provide rebates for insulation and other items 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 expand. 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 boost efficiency while you’re away. When you return home, everything goes to the way it was and you don’t have to worry about making any changes. It’s also able to adjust to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons start again, your thermostat can make the correct adjustment.
The Department of Energy states 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 remaining comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a few different models to select from so pick the one that best adapts to your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes a lot, a 7-day model is more than likely your best bet. They offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These usually have four possible temperature phases each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are ideal if you keep the same schedule on weekdays and another 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 view all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time necessitates. View 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 higher the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C professionals will help you make a well-informed decision that meets you and your needs.
If you’re not there yet, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system working 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 239-244-3439.