As much as half of the energy used in homes goes toward heating and cooling. The following are a few ways that energy bills can be reduced through adjustments to the heating and cooling systems:
- Install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans can be used in place of air conditioners, which require a large amount of energy. This depends on where you live, as some areas are extremely hot in summer months. Simply reducing the degree of coldness will help.
- Periodically replace air filters in air conditioners and heaters. It can be hard to remember when this should be done. Set an alarm on your calander to remind you.
- Set thermostats to an appropriate temperature. Specifically, they should be turned down at night and when no one is home. In most homes, about 2% of the heating bill will be saved for each degree that the thermostat is lowered for at least eight hours each day. Turning down the thermostat from 75° F to 70°F(24c to 21c), for example, saves about 10% on heating costs.
- Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat saves money by allowing heating and cooling appliances to be automatically turned down during times that no one is home and at night. Programmable thermostats contain no mercury and, in some climate zones, can save up to $150 per year in energy costs.
- Install a wood stove or a pellet stove. These are more efficient sources of heat than furnaces. Wood or pellet stoves can actually heat the house without the need for using the furnace in most cases.
- At night, curtains drawn over windows will better insulate the room, especially if you have single pane windows.
Thankyou to Greg Thomson with Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections in Muskoka for contributing towards this article on how to make our homes more energy efficient.
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