5 Helpful Ways to Trim Energy Bills All Year

During the winter months in Port St. Lucie, Florida, you could end up needing your heating system if the temperature dips below 50. However, if you haven’t run the heater for a while, it may not be ready for your wintertime needs. Take a look at these simple ways to prep your heating system and keep your energy bills under control:

Use the Ceiling Fans

Most homes built in the area have ceiling fans in the living spaces and bedrooms to help maintain a more comfortable atmosphere. When the temperature dips during the winter, reverse the direction of your fans to clockwise to allow for the production of a gentle updraft.

This action forces warm air that tends to settle near the ceiling down into the space occupied by your family. If the temperature goes up in Port St. Lucie, you can always switch the direction back to counterclockwise to create a wind-chill effect and cool down the space.

Replace Your Light Bulbs

Another quick way to lower your energy bills is to make sure you’re using the most efficient lighting options. The average home has about 45 light bulbs spread throughout the various rooms. Therefore, inefficient lighting can really add up. Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR-rated bulbs, such as compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. Although the upfront cost of these bulbs is higher, they provide substantial energy savings.

Adding sensors to certain lights can also help you save energy. If your kids never remember to turn off the light in the bathroom, simply adding a sensor can be a major benefit in your home. Sensors also work well for outdoor lighting and security-related lights that you use on your home.

Avoid Using Energy Hogging Appliances

Some of your appliances use a lot of energy. Cutting them out of your regular routine can help you save a lot on monthly bills.

One of the culprits is your clothes dryer, which can use up to 5,000 watts of energy per load. Using a line or drying rack to dry your clothing will help you save drastically on your bills. It’ll also extend the life of your favorite pants and tops.

Leaving the refrigerator open can also waste a lot of energy, so be sure to keep the door tightly closed. The items in your fridge act as insulators to prevent the cooled air from escaping. Therefore, make sure to have plenty of food and drinks to prevent waste.

While you’re paying attention to your fridge, take a few minutes to clean the coils. Dirty coils force the refrigerator to work harder to keep your items cold. Cleaning them every month will help reduce energy waste as well.

Use the Sun

During the cooler winter months, take advantage of the sunshine by keeping your windows uncovered during daylight hours. As the sun’s warm rays seep through the glass, the indoor temperature of your home will rise. You can enjoy a more comfortable indoor atmosphere without having to spend a dime on heating the space. During the warmer months, make sure to keep your windows covered during the day to prevent the heat from coming into the house.

Keep Up With Maintenance

Regular HVAC maintenance is vital to the health and lifespan of your system. You should schedule your heating system tune-up during the fall and your air conditioning tune-up in the spring. During a maintenance service, an HVAC service technician will inspect and test the system to make sure air is flowing properly and all components are in good condition.

Since your HVAC system accounts for a substantial portion of your home’s overall energy costs, it’s important to make sure the system is always operating at peak efficiency. Another part of maintenance is changing the HVAC filter regularly. By doing so, you’ll improve indoor air quality and the efficiency of the unit.

If you’re struggling with HVAC efficiency in your home, contact the HVAC professionals at Preferred Air Conditioning & Mechanical, LLC. Call us at 772-905-3358 to learn more about our available solutions.

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