10 Ways To Save Money on Your Energy Bills

An energy-efficient home saves you money and helps you reduce your carbon footprint for a more environmentally friendly existence. And the best part is, achieving energy efficiency doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. In fact, you have numerous options that can lead to utility bill savings without compromising your lifestyle. Look no further than this handy guide for inspiration on how to boost your home's energy efficiency.

With these simple yet effective tips, you can significantly impact your energy bills while creating a more sustainable home environment.

Per the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver program, homeowners can potentially achieve a 10% savings on their heating and cooling costs by simply setting their thermostats 10 degrees warmer or colder for 8 hours a day. You can typically do this when you’re at work so you’re not uncomfortable, and you can also maintain less warm or cold temperatures while you’re asleep.

Dirty air filters compromise your home energy efficiency while creating discomfort due to inconsistent temperatures and reduced indoor air quality. Because the air your HVAC unit releases pushes through air filters, clogs caused by dirt, pollen, dust, and other airborne debris impede airflow, causing your unit to work harder to heat or cool your home to the set temperature. Longer running times destroy any energy bill savings you might see from other measures, so cleaning or replacing air filters regularly is part of properly maintaining your unit.

Putting ceiling fans to work properly helps you save money on energy costs, both in the summer and winter. Create cooling breezes in the summer by setting your ceiling fan for a counterclockwise rotation that recirculates cool air from your AC system in a downdraft. When the chill of winter sets in, reverse the ceiling fan clockwise for an updraft that pushes warm air near the ceiling back into your room.

Cleaning out your air vents and ensuring there’s nothing in front of them to obstruct them is a simple way to enhance home energy efficiency. The accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris can impede airflow over time, forcing your heating and air units to work harder and harder just to maintain the temperature you set on your thermostat. Regular cleaning helps with all that, and Elite Air & Heat offers a handy HVAC maintenance plan to keep your units operating optimally year-round. Best of all, whether you need maintenance, repairs or new system installation, we provide reliable workmanship with no need for costly repeat visits, all with honest, upfront pricing.

Leaks around the doors and windows are among the most common detriments to home energy efficiency. Weatherstripping and caulking designed to prevent these leaks deteriorates over time, creating cracks and gaps that let outside air creep in and inside air seep out. As these issues grow more pronounced, leaks lead to drafts that make your system work harder to keep you comfortable. Fortunately, regular HVAC maintenance from Elite Air & Heat includes inspection and sealing those leaks to improve your home’s insulation and energy efficiency.

When you want to see fast utility bill savings, invest in LED bulbs. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), these modern bulbs can save up to 90% of energy over using standard incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs also last longer than their incandescent counterparts, so you spend less money replacing them over time. You can further extend your energy savings by looking for home appliances that are energy efficient, including options with ENERGY STAR ratings.

Turning off your lights when you leave a room can help you achieve a more energy-efficient home, but it doesn't have to stop there. Extend your energy bill savings even further by looking for things plugged into outlets that may be driving up energy costs without you knowing it. For example, plugged-in phone chargers that aren't in use still suck energy. Unplug these items after use or invest in an energy-efficient power strip you can turn off with just a click.

A big part of most homes’ energy expenses comes from heating water. To reduce these costs while maintaining comfort, keep your water heater temperature around 120°F. You can also keep your water heater operating optimally by insulating the tank and pipes for further energy savings.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure for HVAC maintenance and is typically less costly. Schedule regular maintenance with Elite Air & Heat to keep your home energy-efficiency levels high. Our maintenance plan helps you ward off issues before they become problems, and we're available 24/7 when emergencies arise.

Suppose you want an easy way to maximize energy bill savings by adjusting the temperature while you’re away or asleep. In that case, the hard-working technicians at Elite Air & Heat can help with programmable thermostat installation. Our locally-owned and family-operated HVAC business respects our customers and their time, and we pride ourselves on providing advice you can trust on the best AC temperature to save you money.