What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Albuquerque?
If you’re trying 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 is 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 the perfect place to start. We also have a couple additional tips that can help keep your costs as low as possible.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If you contact your local utility provider, they will come conduct an energy audit of your home. These services are typically provided free-of-charge and assess everything that is popping up on your utility 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 utilize the GPS In your smartphone to figure out when you’re leaving and makes the proper alteration to help you save money and improve efficiency while you’re not home. When you return home, everything goes back to normal and you don’t have to worry about making any changes. It’s also able to adapt to your routine, so when baseball and football seasons roll around, your thermostat can make the correct adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat could
reduce your heating costs by up to 35% and your cooling costs by up to 25%. Set your thermostat as low as you can, while ensuring you’re comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. There are a few different models to choose from so pick the one that best fits your schedule and needs.
If your schedule changes often, a 7-day model is likely your best solution. They give you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These usually have four possible temperature periods each day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you maintain the same schedule on weekdays and a separate 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 view all of your options so you can make an informed decision when the time comes. 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 greater 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 at that point, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. If you haven’t arranged your furnace service for the year or are having any sort of questions about your system or possibilities, give us a call at 505-445-1250.