Home Energy Saving Tips for the Spring
As a homeowner, you’ve probably experienced the dread of opening your monthly energy bills, especially during harsh seasons like winter and summer. Want to know a secret? You absolutely can cut down on your home energy costs with some relatively simple changes to your daily life.
Here at BELOMAN, our home energy experts know dozens of tips, tricks, and techniques for reducing how much energy you consume. You can confidently look to us for your home heating and cooling services in Belleville, IL. This spring is the perfect time to get started!
Take a look at this list of 6 easy tips to cut down on springtime energy costs:
1. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats give you the power to control the temperature in your home, even when you’re out and about for the day. Turning your air conditioner down a few degrees when your house is empty will drastically cut down on how much energy it consumes. At the end of the month, this translates into more savings for you!
When the temperature cools off at night, you may also opt to turn off your air conditioner and open a window instead. A night-time breeze is just as cool and comfortable as your AC, but it’s absolutely free!
2. Upgrade Your Old Air Conditioner
Every year, newer and more energy-efficient forms of heating and cooling technology hit the home improvement market. Air conditioners that are more than a couple of years old are operating on outdated, wasteful technology. Upgrading your old AC will cut down on the amount of energy your unit consumes, lower your energy bills, and keep your home more comfortable. Units with the ENERGY STAR label are especially effective at saving energy.
BELOMAN carries a wide range of energy-efficient air conditioners at all different price points. Our knowledgeable technicians will help you choose the perfect unit for your replacement AC this spring.
3. Use a Dishwasher
Hand-washing dishes is the traditional method of keeping your eating utensils and cookware clean, but it uses up a lot more hot water than a modern dishwasher. Hand-washing dishes can use up to 5,000 gallons of water per year more than a modern, energy-efficient dishwasher. That’s a big difference! If you’re looking to cut back on the amount of water your household consumes, your dishwashing routine is the first place to start.
4. Weatherproof Your Doors and Windows
Your doors and windows are a major source of home heat loss. Over time, windows and doors can lose their airtightness, which allows the treated air inside your home to escape. It also lets warmer springtime air in from the outside, which causes your AC to work harder. You can check for air leaks by looking for drafts or hot spots around your external facing doors and windows. If you notice a leak, you can use weatherstripping or caulk to seal up that spot and increase your home’s energy-efficiency.
5. Change Dirty AC Filters
The air filter in your AC catches dust, pollen, and other particulates that would otherwise circulate throughout your home. Every three months or so, the filter gets dirty and needs to be replaced. A dirty air filter makes your air conditioner work harder, which consumes more energy. Changing your air filter this spring will help you save energy and money.
6. Using Your Blinds and Curtains
Spring marks the return of sunshine to Belleville, IL. While that creates the perfect conditions for bike rides, picnics, and other outdoor activities, it also has the unintended effect of heating up your home. Instead of switching on the AC, you can cool down your home for free by closing your blinds. This strategy is most effective during the hottest time of day and for windows that get direct sunlight.
Belleville’s Home Energy-Efficiency Experts
You don’t have to wait until summer to start making your home more energy-efficient. In fact, putting some of these tips into practice during spring will make sure your home is well-prepared for the warmer weather. The energy efficiency specialists at BELOMAN are here to help! We are award-winning and employ NATE-certified specialists. Family-owned since 1959, BELOMAN is Belleville’s one-stop-shop for your indoor comfort services, including heating and cooling, plumbing, and architectural metal.
Call us today to learn more about how you can increase your home energy savings this spring!
