The winter season brings a bunch of fun activities and events, but it can also take a toll on your budget. From holiday lights to keeping your home cozy in the middle of harsh weather, many Albuquerque families experience high energy costs. Luckily, there are easy ways to decrease your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our experts at I-Deal HVAC in Albuquerque created a list of ways you can save. Try them out and see lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Program your thermostat to lower heating output during hours when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is used when your furnace is set above 68 degrees, so try keeping your home at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake, and decrease to 55-65 degrees at times when you’re away at work, out of town or sleeping to achieve lower utility bills.
2. Make sure you only wash when you have full loads.
Hold on doing laundry until you can do full loads. This will save you money on water heating, water usage and on heat required for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than was really necessary, right? And, keep in mind: clearing out the lint trap after every load can save you up to $34 a year, according to PG&E.
3. Conduct a home energy audit.
A home energy audit can help you find the places where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use excess energy. The assessment can show you how to save as much as possible, including long- and short-term energy-saving possibilities.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your heating and cooling ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are plenty of areas in your home that may be allowing cold air in. Simply tape heavy plastic over the windows, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks around doors and windows. Contact I-Deal HVAC to find out more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One easy way to get lower utility bills is to switch out your older holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these energy efficient lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 40 holiday seasons in Albuquerque.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need a new furnace, consider an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save hundreds of dollars a year on annual heating bills compared to older furnaces. Or, if it’s not quite time for a replacement, remember to schedule a maintenance visit for your current system. A quick tune-up can help you achieve lower utility bills by making it easier for the system to work.
For more information on how you can reduce your utility bills this winter, give I-Deal HVAC in Albuquerque a call at 505-445-1250.