What Can I Do to Lower My Energy Bills in Lafayette?
If you’re trying 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 is about 48% of your utility bill. Some of the best ways to start saving money don’t necessitate a big 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 some additional tips that can help keep your costs 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 energy 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 boost your home’s efficiency.
Smartly Program Your Programmable Thermostat
Thermostats have been improved a lot, and the technology behind them only continues to evolve. For example, the iComfort S30 is able to use the GPS In your smartphone to figure out when you’re leaving and makes the proper adjustment to help you save money and increase efficiency while you’re gone. 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 learn your routine, so when baseball and football seasons kick off, your thermostat can make the right adjustment.
The Department of Energy notes that a well programmed thermostat may
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 often, a 7-day model is probably your best choice. They offer you the flexibility to set different programs for each day. These typically have four possible temperature phases per day.
There are also 5+2 and 5-1-1 models. These models are perfect if you have the same schedule on weekdays and a different one for weekends.
Selecting and Maintaining Your System
If you think you’re close to the point where your system should 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 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 better the savings. As always, our furnace and A/C experts will help you make a well-informed decision that meets you and your needs.
If you’re not ready yet, a simple furnace service and routine maintenance can keep your system working 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 (337) 234-2345.
