Tips To Save Energy Bills to Keep Warm During Winter
Data from the US Energy Information Administration even suggests that households should spend more money on energy this winter than they did last year. As winter officially begins, the Department of Energy has shared some helpful tips on how to reduce those costs.
Some include things like changing dirty filters and using programmable thermostats. In addition, the Biden Inflation Cut Act includes many incentives such as tax breaks for the installation of energy-efficient appliances.
According to a published post by The US Sun, the law aims to reduce energy costs while using cleaner energy. These types of thermostats can help regulate temperatures, helping to reduce your energy costs. Many HVAC professionals recommend programmable thermostats, especially ones with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Once connected, the thermostat learns what temperature you prefer, then sees the weather forecast and can get your home to the temperature you want during off-peak usage. According to EnergyStar, you can save about 8% on an estimated average monthly bill of $121. That then drops to a saving of about $10.
Three Tips To Save Hundreds On Your Energy Bills This Winter
If you add up the individual expenses, the total savings is $1,248 per year. Weather stripping allows homeowners to seal air leaks around items like doors or windows that can be opened to trap heat. The Department of Energy recommends choosing a weather strip that resists friction, weather, temperature changes, and wear and tears associated with its location.
You can also use thicker curtains as they can help warm up your home. You should leave them open throughout the day to naturally heat your home with sunlight. These simple changes can result in 10% savings in total energy costs. Just like proper insulation, this amounts to $121 per month, so you’ll save an extra $12 per month.
Dirty filters can reduce the amount of air or heat that passes through, which means you’ll have to keep them on for a longer time, which will ultimately lead to higher costs. However, a new filter can reduce long-term costs while helping to extend the overall life of the device.
When deciding which filter is best, one HVAC expert says to consider two things: the amount of air that can pass through the filter and the amount of dirt the filter can hold.
