Did you know that being green can actually help you save money? According to Energy Star, an average American household spends $2,000 a year on energy bills. One half of those funds go to spending money on your heating and cooling system.
It is well known that with every bit of energy that is used to heat or cool your home, your energy bill will rise. However, the oil and gas burned to heat our houses and the electricity that is used to keep our HVAC systems running can be a main source of greenhouse gas emissions. The more you can cut down on the emissions, the better it is for the environment and for your pocketbook.
The following are some tips from an HVAC contractor in Grand Junction, CO on how to decrease your consumption, environmental impact and energy bill:
- Use free energy: Take advantage of the energy that comes from nature. During the winter, open up the curtains and the blinds to let the sun in. It will help heat your house. Doing this will prevent your HVAC system from working so hard. During the summer, keep the blinds closed and use window treatments over your large windows. Blocking out the sun will keep the inside of your house cool.
- Keep everything air tight: Check your windows, doors and fireplaces for leaks. Seal any leaks with weather stripping or caulk. This will prevent places like the attic or the crawlspace – places you barely use – from staying warm or cool and it will prevent heat or cool air from escaping. If needed, investing in new insulation will help. Although it may seem like a big cost right, in the future can will save you substantial amounts of money in energy costs.
- Take care of your HVAC equipment: Make sure to clean the air filters every 30 days. HVAC systems that have dirt, debris and other items stuck in the filters can have huge problems, not to mention the system has to work harder the dirtier it is. If your heating and cooling system is 10 years old or older, it’s time to replace the system. Ask a professional about what equipment is made to be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. You can’t go wrong with one of those systems if you’re trying to lower your energy costs.
- Don’t constantly change the thermostat: The more you change your thermostat, the harder the heating and cooling system works. Changing it all the time means the thermostat has to constantly go from warmer to colder or colder to warmer in a short amount of time. Over time, this can cause it to eventually wear out. Consider a programmable thermostat. Those will help you save costs. Program the thermostat so that the heating and cooling system doesn’t work as hard when no one is home or everybody is sleeping.
It’s also important to routinely check your system. When everything is running smoothly, that helps lower your energy bill and can also save you from problems that could turn into costly repairs. If you need an HVAC contractor in Grand Junction, CO, contact Double Diamond Plumbing.